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McCallum Cup tilts in favour of Powell River Regals

Coy Cup hosts take series lead in west coast championship
Shane Carlson
Shane Carlson

Powell River Regals returned to action last weekend, hosting games two and three of the best-of-five McCallum Cup West Coast Senior Hockey championship series versus Nanaimo Steelmen at Hap Parker Arena.

Regals earned a 6-4 win on March 8, which evened the series after Nanaimo skated to a 9-3 win in game one last month. The home team was in danger early, trailing 3-1 after the first period, but rallied after intermission with goals from Bekkam Willis and Nic Porchetta to tie the game 3-3 with 20 minutes remaining.

Goals from Brock Sawyer, Jared Winkel, and the second of the game by Cory Burnett, were part of a third period where the Regals outscored the Steelmen 3-1, setting the stage for a pivotal game three the next night.

Porchetta was prominent again on March 9, scoring twice in the first period following goals from teammates Brett Kinley and Kyle English, giving the Regals a 4-2 lead after 20 minutes. Regals were outscored by a 2-1 margin in period two, but Hunter Findlater’s goal kept the home team on top 5-4.

Nanaimo was unable to match the offence produced by the Regals in the final frame. A pair of goals from Riley Billy and one each by Travis Granbois and Jack Long secured a 9-4 win and the all-important 2-1 lead in the series.

Laszlo Tamasik made 31 saves in game two for the Regals. Ryan Fairgray took over in net for game three and turned aside 27 of the 31 shots he faced. 

Games four and five of the McCallum Cup are scheduled for Nanaimo on March 15 and 16.

Regals will host Coy Cup 2024, competed for by senior AA teams in BC, with three regional winners joining the home team at the tournament from March 26 to 30. Coy Cup tickets are available at the Peak, TAWS and Royal LePage-Powell River.

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