For the second home game in as many nights, Powell River Kings were unable to hold a multiple goal lead.
After surrendering a three-goal lead in a loss to Cowichan Valley Capitals on December 10, Powell River jumped out to a 2-0 lead over the visiting Nanaimo Clippers on December 11. Olivier Lepine and Maxim Potvin scored 32 seconds apart midway through the first period, but a shorthanded Clippers’ goal 29 seconds prior to intermission changed the game’s momentum.
Nanaimo tied the score 58 seconds into period two, then took a lead two minutes later. The visitors added a fourth goal at 13:58 before the home team responded; Caleb Parkhouse and Potvin combined to set up Parker Lalonde’s ninth goal of the BC Hockey League (BCHL) season on a power play to cut the deficit to 4-3 after 40 minutes.
Kings knotted the game at four with seven minutes remaining in the third period by capitalizing on another power play; Dylan Finlay assisted on Hunter Andrew’s seventh of the season on the play.
With a second straight overtime game looming, Clippers sent the home crowd home disappointed, adding the game-winning goal with 1:17 remaining in the period and improving their record against the Kings this year to 7-0.
Kings’ goaltender Thomas Wardle saved 32 of 37 shots sent his way; his counterpart Cooper Black made 31 saves. Nathan Small, Casey Aman, Parkhouse and Andrew picked up assists in the first period. Attendance at Hap Parker Arena was 578.
Kings embark on a three-game road trip next weekend, starting in Langley on December 17, followed by stops in Coquitlam (December 18) and Surrey (December 19). The next home game is January 5 against Victoria.
