Vipers hold of Kings

The Kings simply ran out of time on Friday. After not playing the way the wanted for the first 30-35 minutes of the game, Powell River came on strong but fell one goal short in a 3-2 loss.

Much hype was put on this game as it was a rematch of the last two Bchl Fnals and first game in Vernon since last years game seven. 2600 and change where on hand to witness a wildly entertaining hockey game from their perspective.

The Vipers were the ones who had the better start forcing most of the play in the Kings zone. Powell River had a tough time getting through the Vipers trap in the neutral zone. The Vipes were aggresive standing at the red line at centre challenging thr Kings break out. The Vipers generated the best chances on two power-plays but Mike Garteig kept his team in a scoreless tie to the second.

The second started with Vernon once more dictatig the play at centre and into the Kings zone. Malcom Lyles and Steve Weinstein were good at jumping up and making plays into the Kngs end. T
Vernon forced The Kings into a penalty and capitalized when David Robinson went n a left wing rush and scored short side on Garteig.

That would be the only goal in the second with Powell River generating momentum late and squaring the shots at 14.

The third was somethig to remember. 4 goals scored 9 minutes in penalties on one play and 2 goals scored in 19 seconds by the Kings.

Bryce Kakoske increased the Vernon lead to a pair of goals when he scored at 4:19. That goal came against the play as at the other end PR was thwarted after cycling for nearly a minute. The puck came to Kakoske at centre after it bounced away from Garbowsky at the Kings blue line. Kakoske carried in just over the line and snapped a wrister by Garteig's glove.

The Kings replied on the next shift when Stveb Schmidt or Andrew Pettitt banged home a goal mouth scramble. Goals came 19 seconds apart.
The Kings would tie on the power-play when Cohen Adair converted a pass from Jon Jutzi and beat Kirby Halcrow blocker side. That with just 5 to go in the third.

However Dylan Walchuk played hero on a Vipers power-play with 4:11 left in the game. Walchuk came in on the left side and at the goal line walked out and went short side on Mike Garteig for the game winner.

Craig Dalrymple was inched away from tying with the net empty but Halcrow was there to meet him with the left pad.

Game Over

Shots: 26-22 Kings
PP: Vipers 2/5 Kings 1/4

Kings Record: 35-7-3-2 75 pts (1st)