A third period shorthanded goal stood up as the winner for Nanaimo Minor Hockey Association’s U18 rep team in an afternoon game versus Powell River U18 Kings on Saturday, November 19.
Prior to the final frame, each team took turns scoring consecutive goals at Hap Parker Arena before the visitors took a second lead, which they never relinquished.
Nanaimo jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead, converting a two-on-one and a tipped-in point shot into a pair of goals.
Powell River turned the tables in period two when Draedyn Harris scored twice to knot the game at two goals apiece. A deke to his backhand from close in beat Nanaimo’s goalie to cut the deficit in half, which was followed by a rebound tap-in on a power play midway through the period.
Powell River had momentum, and a power play, but it was the penalty killers from Nanaimo who seized the game’s defining moment while a teammate served a two-minute minor.
There was no scoring in the third period until Powell River pulled its goalie with just over a minute remaining in favour of an extra attacker, which led to an empty-net insurance goal for Nanaimo.
U18 Kings have a record of nine wins, five losses and three ties on the season. The club hosts Juan de Fuca on Saturday, November 26. Game time is 6 pm.
