SERIES: The Kings forced game seven with last night’s 4-1 win in game six at Bear Mountain Arena. Following up his heroics in game five, Jon Jutzi scored two power-play goals one in each of the first two periods. Chad Niddery also scored a pair, on the power-play and short-handed less than three minutes apart in the third.
That game sets up a winner takes all match up at Hap Parker Arena. The Kings and Grizzlies will be playing their third game in three days. This has been a terrific series with three of the six games decided by one goal.
TEAM PULSE
Kings: Powell River has an opportunity to move on in the BCHL playoffs. However it won’t be easy and the team is only focused on tonight’s contest.
The Kings have gotten themselves to this point by playing the way that made them successful this season. In the last two games we’ve seen a more focused and structured team that has gotten back to playing within themselves.
Last night saw the special teams department turn around. The Kings were three for six on the power-play and didn’t allow a power-play goal against on three penalties. Chad Niddery in fact scored his second short-handed goal in the series. The first came back in game one.
It’s simple tonight the Kings need to stick to what has worked in the past two games.
Grizzlies: Victoria missed an opportunity on home ice to clinch the series last night and will have to quickly regroup for tonight’s game seven.
The Grizzlies were frustrated offensively last night by the Kings road game. Victoria wasn’t allowed much time or space through the neutral zone which proved difficult to generate good chances off the rush.
Tonight their top players will have to find ways to better generate some offensive inside the Kings zone. They like Powell River have veteran players that know what is at stake with tonight’s game.
One thing I will be watching is the battle of fatigue with both teams. As talked about this will be third game in as many days and it will be a test of both teams fitness.
The Grizzlies have played their top lines quite a bit and up until this point hasn’t been a noticeable negative. It seems like their top lines thrives on the more ice time they receive.
WHO’S HOT: The top line finally broke out last night for the Kings. Niddery alongside Matt Garbowsky and Cohen Adair combined for eight points. Niddery and Garbowsky each collected three points and Adair had two assists. Jon Jutzi is wielding a hot stick. The blue liner has three goals in his last four periods for four goals in the series. He scored six goals all season.
David Morley continues to pile on the points for the Grizzlies. Morley has eight points in the last three games. Joel Lowry’s goal last night gives him five and leads the team in scoring with 17 points.
STAT PACK: This is the third playoff meeting between Powell River and Victoria. The previous two went to game 7 in ’91 & ’09.
PUCK DROP: Pre-game show is at 6:45pm with puck drop at 7pm on 95-7 SUN FM.
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