It is often said the fourth win of a playoffs series is the hardest to get, and Powell River Kings learned that the hard way on Thursday night. Thanks to a split in Duncan from games three and four, the Kings had earned an opportunity to eliminate Cowichan Valley Capitals from the playoffs Thursday, March 10, and book passage into the second round of BC Hockey League post-season play.
An early first period Capitals goal silenced a strong crowd at Hap Parker Arena and put the visitors on up 1-0, despite the Kings dominating in shots 16-7. Several chances came the Kings way, but bad bounces and solid goaltending preserved the road team’s lead.
Capitals added an insurance goal in the second period, extending the lead to 2-0 through 40 minutes. Kings again heavily outshot the visitors and, despite two powerplay opportunities, remained without anything to show for it on the scoreboard.
Kings started the third period on a powerplay, which was extended to a 5-on-3 advantage, but as was the story throughout the game, Kings generated chances but lacked the ability to beat the Capitals goaltender.
Adam Brubacher finally put the Kings on the scoreboard by batting home an airborne puck at the top of the crease after Kyle Betts attempted to stuff it in from below the goal line. Fans later cried foul as a check to the head of Betts was not penalized; the Capitals sealed the win 11 seconds later with an empty-net goal for a 3-1 win.
“We lacked urgency, we lacked killer instinct to really put a team away, and especially losing on home ice when you set yourself up on the road, it’s very disappointing,” said Kings assistant coach Brock Sawyer. “We had lots of opportunities in tight and back door and us missing those comes down to just not being prepared, we weren’t prepared and we thought it was going to be easy.”
Cowichan’s win forces a game six on Saturday, March 12, at Island Savings Centre in Duncan; game time is 7 pm. Kings coaches and player know a better effort is needed to close out the series on the road.
“We’ll take Friday, look at this game on video and prepare for game six, it’s all you can do now,” said Sawyer. “We’ll go over there on a mission on Saturday and get a win.”
If required, game seven will take place at Hap Parker Arena at 7 pm Sunday, March 13.
