3-3-0-1 7pts (6th)
Last Game: Wednesday, 4-3 OT win versus Nanaimo
Home Record: 2-2-0-0
Power-Play: 7/33 21.21% (7th) Home: 6/17 35.29% (3rd)
Season Series: 0-1-0-1
Next Game: Oct 8th vs. Alberni Valley
The Goods: Vic Gevais's club is coming off a come from behind 4-3 OT win in Nanaimo on Wednesday. The result is more impressive considering they spotted the Clippers 3 goals in a 1:02 to start the third. This team on paper has dangerous weapons upfront that sometimes overshadow the question marks on their back end. In the two meetings this season with Powell River, the Kings dominated the Grizz down-low, cycling the puck at will and forcing turnovers from their D. Matt Ginn is coming off an invite from Team Canada West, however hasn't looked stellar against the Kings. Maybe that's just a testiment to the scorers Powell River has in their fold.
In order for the Grizz to take two points tonight, they will have to be much better in their own end, and tighten up on the turnovers inside their own blue. Also they will need Matt Ginn to pull out a big performance tonight at home.
5-3-1-0 (T-3rd)
Last Game: Friday, 1-1 tie versus Nanaimo
Road Record: 1-1-1-0
Power-Play: 10/48 20.83% (10th) Road: 3/16 18.75% (8th)
Season Series: 2-0-0-0
Next Game: Oct 8th vs. Quesnel
The Goods:
Quite simply the Kings will have to bear down on their chances and find that killer instinct that was so successfull early on. All though their penalty-kill has been top knotch, their power-play has suffered a power outage. In the last two games, the Kings have gone 0/13 on the man advantage, which has dropped a top 4 PP to 9th in the BCHL. Thats where bearing down on their chances comes in. The defence, as banged up as it is, has done a solid job in the past two games. Justin DaSilva and Craig Dalrymple have been great with their increased ice-time that they have to shoulder and Klay Kachur, Jason Yee and Braden Pears have also stepped up in this time of need. Kudos to AP Brandan Smith who didn't miss a beat coming into the line-up against Alberni and Nanaimo and looked like he could be a every day player in the BCHL.
Tonight's keys are simple, win the special teams battle and do more with the chances you are presented with in and around the Victoria net.
On another note, The Kings have signed Steven Schmidt for the remainder of the season. He was playing for his hometown Campbell River Storm in the VIJHL. If you do remember, Schimdt was a key member of last year's playoff team, as he played regularly right into the BCHL finals. Look for him to add more muscle upfront and boost the bottom six.
More from the rink,
I am very happy that Steve Schmidt has committed. He was one of the guys I was looking for to return. Hopefully the same work ethic day in and day out as Ben. In my opinion Jason Yee is the best defensive defenceman, and when DaSilva makes one of his patented end to end rushes, he is one of our most potent offensive weapons. He also has a great WRIST shot from the point. I think we need more bodies in front of the net, especially on PPs.
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