Hockey players’ moms and dads were in attendance at Hap Parker Arena where, along with over 1,300 other fans, they were treated to a couple of hard-working performances by Powell River Kings.
Friday’s 3-0 shutout against Vernon Vipers was nearly perfect and Saturday’s 5-1 win over Alberni Valley Bulldogs was right up there as well.
Aside from the impressive results, the Kings players’ parents were also pleased with their sons’ home away from home.
Forward Carter Turnbull wanted to be a King when he attended main camp two years ago, but after discussions with head coach and general manager Kent Lewis and his parents he decided on a year with his hometown Nanaimo Buccaneers, where he scored 71 points in 44 games.
Turnbull was the league rookie of the year last year and played a few games with the Cowichan Valley Capitals as an affiliate player, which drew the attention of all the other British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) teams on the island.
“He did have about five options,” said his mother Trish, “but by far, for a lot of reasons, Powell River was his number-one choice. It was a decision made by [the whole family] and we all chose Powell River for the same reasons.”
Trish said that coach Lewis’ style and experience is a good fit with the family.
“He’s experienced and runs a tight ship, and we run a tight household, so it fit the bill,” she said. “Carter is focused and we felt Kent recognized that and would pull the best out of him.”
Like Carter, Lewis is also getting the most out of the Kings early in the season as they stretched their winning streak to six games over the weekend.
Against Vernon they completely outworked the Vipers in the opening period before Kyle Betts opened the scoring at 15:18.
Then Betts and defenceman Andy Stevens each scored within a minute of each other in the second period while Jeff Smith was positively brilliant in preserving his first shutout of the year, 3-0.
“I thought we dominated most of the game, to be honest,” said Lewis. “They are a good club, but we didn’t give them much.”
Stevens, a 17-year-old defenceman, agreed with his coach about the quality Vipers opponents.
“We have heard a lot about them, that they always come out hard, but we just came out harder,” said Stevens. “We just came out with more character in the end.”
Betts picked up two goals, including the game-winner, and a couple of stitches under his nose from a high stick. Betts, currently being eyed by National Hockey League central scouting, was named first star of the game.
“It was a mad scramble with a lot of bodies around, but luckily the puck popped out to me and I put it in the net,” said Betts on the winning goal. “It’s always nice scoring before the first intermission because the guys go in excited and ready to start the second.”
As good as they have been of late, the Kings continued to add key pieces to their roster with the acquisition of experienced defenceman Jake Kohlhauser.
Kohlhauser previously played for Western Hockey League Vancouver Giants, Victoria Royals, Edmonton Oil Kings and Saskatoon Blades.
“There was a prior connection with his family and we got him on our protection list and he became available,” said Lewis. “We were carrying six defenceman and wanted to be patient to bring in the right piece, and I think this is the right piece for us.”
Kohlhauser and the Kings looked very good the next day against Alberni Valley when Curtis McCarrick and Gavin Rauser each scored a pair of goals with Betts adding the last one, shorthanded, in the 5-1 win.
Goaltender Stefan Wornig almost pulled off his second consecutive shutout against the Bulldogs, allowing just the single goal early in third to secure his second win in two starts.
Kings head out on an extensive road trip this week, starting with Coquitlam on Friday, October 9, West Kelowna Saturday, October 10 and ending up in Wenatchee, Washington against new BCHL team the Wild on Sunday, October 11. Wenatchee are the only US team in the league.
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King’s forward Mitchell Hawes was named BCHL Player of the Week on September 28.
Canadian Junior Hockey League ranks Kings 20 out of 133 teams.
