After a busy stretch of road games for Powell River Kings, spending the next three weeks and seven games inside the friendly confines of Hap Parker Arena was welcomed with open arms.
However, it wasn’t until the third game of the homestand when the Kings showed why the Hap has been a fortress for the team over the years.
Powell River’s long homestand opened Friday, November 16, against Prince George, a rematch of the BC Hockey League semi-final series Kings lost in overtime in game five. The night also served as the annual teddy bear toss, with fans encouraged to bring stuffed animals and winter wear to throw onto the ice when the home team scored its first goal.
Unfortunately, that goal never came.
Prince George’s stifling defence, combined with an off night from the Kings offence, meant fans held onto their baggage until the final buzzer, littering the ice with teddy bears following a 3-0 Prince George victory. It was the second time in three games Powell River had been shut out, however, it was not all doom and gloom.
“I didn’t see enough physical or emotional investment in the game, and I didn’t see any of our forwards invested at all,” said Kings head coach Tyler Kuntz. “I was really happy with our defence; Prince George only got 25 shots and 11 chances; we had 10.”
The following night, Kings entertained defending national champion Chilliwack Chiefs, a team leading the BCHL standings. A challenge was thrown down to the forward group following Friday’s game, and it was quickly answered.
Christian Buono tallied early, with Mitch Williams and Josh Coblenz also getting on the scoresheet in the opening frame. Then a fortunate bounce off the boards stranded Chiefs netminder Mathieu Caron behind the goal and allowed Levi Glasman to shoot into the open cage for a 4-2 lead through 20 minutes.
Early in the second period, Matt Rickard scored his second BCHL goal to extend the advantage, however, Chilliwack rallied and rattled off five unanswered goals, including an empty-net marker, and ran away 7-5 victors while handing the Kings their fourth consecutive loss.
“We couldn’t lock down the lead tonight,” said Kings assistant coach Brock Sawyer. “We were challenged [by Chilliwack] and made careless mistakes, failed to get pucks out, turned over pucks in our own zone and created a lot of opportunities for them, and obviously they capitalized.”
With a disappointing weekend in the rearview mirror, Powell River returned to the ice Tuesday, November 20, to host Alberni Valley. After weathering a storm in the first period, the home team took control in the second.
Kings scored the opening goal midway through the period after a big hit from Ryan Pouliot forced a turnover and an odd-man rush that Ethan Martini capitalized on. He passed to Williams for a 1-0 lead that stood through 40 minutes. Kings outshot Alberni 19-8 in the middle period.
Powell River continued to push in the third as Ryan Brushett drove wide and made it 2-0 on his team-leading 15th goal of the season, then Ethan Schmunk found a loose puck in the crease for his fourth, and first at home.
Mitch Adamyk did the rest. The third-year netminder rebounded from some tough outings over the last couple of weeks to secure a confident 33-save shutout, his second in junior hockey, to secure a 3-0 victory.
“Mitch was phenomenal tonight,” said Sawyer. “He was certainly missing that swagger you’d see when he’d make that big save then throw the puck back at the player and challenge him to try again. He’s worked tirelessly to find his form and credit to him and credit to Sean [Maguire, goaltending coach] for working with him. The guys wanted this for him as much as he wanted to get the job done tonight.”
Powell River’s sits in second place in the Island Division with a record of 14-12. The team continues its homestand on Friday, November 23, and Saturday, November 24, by hosting Cowichan. Game time is 7 pm Friday and 5 pm Saturday.
