GAME PREVIEW: Kings @ Chiefs



29-5-3-2

LAST GAME: The Kings blitzed the Nanaimo Clippers for five first period goals in a 6-2 win at home on Wednesday. It was the Kings ninth straight win and they closed out December undefeated at 7-0.

What is more impressive on an individual level is Matt Garbowsky's first period hat-trick. The King co-captain scored three goals in the first 9:36 of the game. Garbowsky now has back to back hat-tricks dating back to December 18th versus Victoria.

DID YOU KNOW? The Kings have only surrendered seven goals in their last nine games, including collecting two shutouts. That's only giving up .78 goals per game over that span.

POWER SURGE: The much maligned Kings power-play is turning in the right direction. In their last two games, Powell River is five for eight on the man advantage. Garbowsky chipped in with two power-play goals against Victoria and one against Nanaimo.

To compound matters the Langley Chiefs are the most penalized team in the BCHL, being short-handed 252 times this season. The Kings up tempo puck possession play lends to power-play opportunities and if recent history is any indicator, they will have plenty of opportunities today.

NUTS N' BOLTS

Season Series: 5-0-1-1

Most recent game: December 8th  PR 4 @ LNG 0

* Mike Garteig stopped 27 shots for his second shutout on the road trip. Also the Kings got goals from four different players including two goals from the third line (Forbes and Waugh).

Next Encounter: February 5th Langley Events Centre.

Power-Play: 19.47 % (13)

Road: 17.07 % (13)

Penalty-Kill: 91.28% (1)

Road: 93.02 % (1)

Goals: Garbowsky (29)

Assists: Niddery (40)

Points: Niddery (52)

PPG: Garbowsky (9)

SHG: Garbowsky (3)

 



22-14-1-5 

LAST GAME: Brandon Thompson broke a scoreless tie in the second period on Thursday en route to a 4-2 win over the Alberni Valley Bulldogs at the Langley Event Centre.  The Chiefs scored the first three goals in that contest before surviving a Bulldog come back attempt in the third.

The win was the Chiefs first in three tries after being knocked off by Quesnel in overtime 5-4 and Surrey 3-2 before the Christmas break. In fact, Langley headed in the opposite direction of Powell River last month. The Chiefs were 4-5-0-0 in December and opponents have scored three or more goals in three of their last five games.

DID YOU KNOW? The Chiefs haven't scored more then two goals in a game against Powell River since winning the opener 3-2 in overtime on October 15th.

STAYING POWER: The Chiefs are lead offensively  by Matt Ius and his 61 points. The 20 year-old has five points in as many games, including four against Prince George. However you can flip that and say he has only one point, a goal against Quesnel, in his last four games. Langley has other dangerous weapons including Josh Myer and Brandon Thompson. However it seems as Ius goes so do the Chiefs. When he factors in the scoring the Chiefs usually come out on top. For the Chiefs to snapp their losing skid against Powell River, Ius will have to find the scoresheet. As he only has three points against the Kings this season.

NUTS N' BOLTS

Season Series: 1-5-1-0

Next Encounter: February 5th Langley Events Centre.

Power-Play: 20.93 % (9)

Home: 22.45 % (9)

Penalty-Kill: 80.95 % (7)

Home: 81.74 % (8)

Goals: Josh Myers (27)

Assists: Matt Ius (37)

Points: Matt Ius (61)

PPG: Brad McBride (12)

SHG: Myers / Gerling (4)