Struggles on home ice continued for Powell River Kings on Saturday, January 22.
For the second consecutive weekend, a BC Hockey League (BCHL) Coastal Conference rival swept a two-game set at Hap Parker Arena.
After edging the Kings 3-2 in overtime 24 hours earlier, Alberni Valley Bulldogs jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead in the rematch. Both goals came on power plays, 18 seconds apart.
Ethan Riesterer responded for the Kings at 13:32 of the second period, but Josh Zary restored the two-goal lead for the visitors three minutes later.
The teams traded goals in the third period, each scoring twice. Kings’ captain Dylan Finlay cut the lead to 3-2 at the 8:38 mark on a power play, followed by Bulldogs’ forward Brandon Buhr replying for the visitors at 13:06, his second of the game and 14th of the season.
Alberni had another response to Casey Aman’s goal with 1:20 remaining on the clock. Braden Blace cemented the win with an insurance marker into an empty net at 19:34.
Mark D’Agostino, Hunter Andrew and Karter McNarland each had a pair of assists for the Kings, who were outshot 39-33. Attendance was 701.
One week earlier, Surrey Eagles skated to a pair of road wins over the Kings.
Powell River embarks on a three-game road trip this weekend, with stops in Nanaimo (January 28) and Victoria (January 29 and 30). The next home game is February 2 against Cowichan Valley.