Kings end the regular season on a winning note

• The Kings ended their season how they started, with a win against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs. The Kings opened the season on September 10th with a 3-0 victory against the 'Dogs in Powell River. Last night was another three goal win, with a slightly different scoreline.
• Unfortunately Mike Garteig came up three minutes short in his attempt to set a new BCHL single season record. Kenney Morrison spoiled the party with the Bulldogs only goal on the power-play late in the third period. Garteig did set a new goals against average record with last night's performance. Garteig finished the season with a GAA of 1.69, point eight percentage points better then Blake Voth's mark a year earlier.
• The Kings as a team set another record on the weekend. Powell River bettered Vernon's record for goals against in a single season of 119. Powell River set the new mark with 115 goals against in 60 games.
• Friday's win over Cowichan Valley set a new single season Franchise record in wins with 45. They tied the previous mark of 44 on Wednesday against Salmon Arm. The old record was set in 93-94 by the then Paper Kings.
• Don't try to compare the two teams. Kent Lewis will tell you it was two different eras and both teams are unique in their seperate ways. If you look up the 93-94 team, their track record is eye poping.
• The Kings I believe set a new franchise record for road wins in a season with 21. I'll have to do some digging on that stat.
• Chad Niddery finished the season on a tare. The fourth year King ended the regular season on a 13 game point streak, which saw him collect 10 goals and 24 points. Niddery shot up the scoring table and finished fourth with 86 points.
• Not to be out done, Matt Garbowsky finished the regular season on a five game point streak and three game goal streak. Garbowsky, baring a five goal outburst by Mike Hammond, will win the BCHL goal scoring title with 44 goals. Garbowsky finished 6th in league scoring with 80 points.
• To have to players in the top six in league scoring is quite impressive, given the fact both were out of the top ten for the majority of the season. Niddery hung around the 10th-11th spot for quite some time and Garbowsky was in and out of the top 15.
• Speaking of Mike Hammond, a well deserved scoring title for the Silverback forward. I covered Hammond as a 17 and 18 year-old in Junior B with the Victoria Cougars. He tore that league up in scoring when he started as a 16 year old. However, he was continually told he was not a Junior A scorer. Hammond shuffled back between the Grizzlies and Cougars before landing with the Capitals and then now the Silverbacks. "Mikey" Hammond has proved many people wrong and I can say it was a pleasure watching him with the puck.
• After last night's game, I believe the two best goaltenders hail from northern BC. Mike Garteig won all the major goaltending statistics and deserving so but Frank Slubowski wasn't too far behind. The Prince Rupert native is the backbone of the Bulldogs and is their MVP candidate hands down. He was terrific in a losing effort against the Kings last night.
• Now the Kings get some much need rest as they will have a two and a half week break before the second round of the BCHL playoffs.