Monday Morning Musings

• The Kings had their 6 game winning streak end on Saturday with a 5-4 OT loss to Cowichan Valley. It was just a matter of time before the Kings would have "one of those nights" and that was Saturday.
• Saturday was the first time in 20 games that the Kings surrendered 5 goals. You have to go back to September 19th, when the Kings dropped a 6-5 decision to Surrey.
• The numbers can be cruel to goaltenders. Sean Maguire saw his Goals Against Average jump from a stingy 1.97 to 2.55 after Saturday's game. The numbers are taken from a small sample size, as he has only played in 5 games. Maguire will be a great talent in this league as the 17 year-old has already shown he belongs in the BCHL. How can you not like him either? Maguire is one of the most honest goaltenders I have met. He will be the first to tell you that two of those goals shouldn't have gone in.
• It was an encouraging sign to see the Kings pull up their socks for Saturday's third period to force overtime. It was a less than stellar effort from Powell River in the middle portion of the game. However, they showed some grit to bear down and at least get a single point.
• Kent Lewis commented last week how he wasn't pleased with the team's attitude and work habit in the practices leading up to the weekend.  Saturday can be taken as a lesson learned, as you simply can't look past any team in the BCHL.
• Wednesday's match up with the Vernon Vipers could be just what the doctor ordered.  A rematch of the last two league finals can re-focus this team ahead of a busy weekend on the mainland.

Switching gears...

• The Powell River Kings remain 4th in the CJHL's weekly national rankings. The Kings did grab 3 out of a possible 4 points. Other notables from the list has Trail cracking the top 20 after a week where they took home 6 of 8 points. The full list can be found here
• Who was the driving force behind the Smokies strong play? Look no further than Cullen Bradshaw, as he was named the BCHL Player of the Week. Full details here
• The USA downed Team Canada East 6-4 in the Gold Medal game at the World Jr. A Challenge in Penticton. That's three straight gold medals for the Yanks'
• Jon Jutzi's parents solved a riddle for me. I wasn't sure of the meaning behind the Elmira Sugar Kings name.  They pointed out that Elmira is the Maple Sugar capital of Canada and they gave me my own bottle of syrup to show for it.  Thank you to the Jutzi's!

Finally,  I would like to wish my Dad a very happy 53rd birthday!! I know he isn't a guy who likes being dotted on, but he is a man that I look up to and try to emulate. Love you Pops!!