Game 1 Recap

• If you don't play a full sixty minutes usually you come out on the losing end. However that wasn't the case last night as the Kings rode a three goal first period en route to the 4-2 win.
• Dont kid yourself, this wasn't a good game by the Kings. The team was guilty of being too cute with the puck in the finally 40 minutes. Too many times Powell River tried the extra pass or deke on their rushes.
•  After going 4-7 on the power-play in games 6 &7 combine, the Kings were 0-6 on Friday. That included a lengthy five on three late in the third when leading 3-2. The PP needs to create more shots going forward.
• The penalty-kill was a different story as they kept Surrey off the board on six chances. That also included two short handed goals by Niddery and Garbowsky. Granted Garbowsky scored into an empty net. Saying that I wouldn't want to get into a special teams battle against the Eagles. Too many weapons to give more ammunition to.
• I was surprised at what seemed to be a Flat Surrey squad to start the game. The Eagles looked out of sorts early. Their D were troubled by turn overs in their zone. However as the second period wore on the Eagles found their legs. Give them credit for battling back and getting within one after fourth minutes and carrrying the flow of play into the third.
• Best player on the ice? Has to be Andrew Pettitt and Richard Vanderhoek. Pettitt scored what proved to the game wining goal. He finished with three points and his line was terrific. Vanderhoek was dangerous all night when he had the puck. I would think he had the most shots out of any player last night. Vanderhoek knows where to be On the ice to get the puck. That's an invaluable skill
• Last night was the debut of the two referree system in the BCHL. The league will go to two referree's in the conference and league finals. I thought it worked well as the trailing ref does pick up the infractions behind the play. I would want to see how it works out through an entire season