Powell River Kings came back from two-goal deficits on two occasions but ultimately fell 6-4 to Nanaimo Clippers in BC Hockey League (BCHL) action at Hap Parker Arena on Friday, February 11.
The visiting Clippers scored twice in each period en route to their ninth win in as many games over the Kings since the start of the 2021/2022 BCHL season.
After Nanaimo jumped ahead 2-0 in the first period, Dylan Finlay and Hunter Andrew responded for the Kings early in period two to tie the game.
Clippers responded in quick succession with a pair of goals in a two-minute span at 6:01 and 8:04. Parker Lalonde notched his 14th of the season to cut the lead to 4-3 prior to intermission, then helped set up Andrew’s second of the game six minutes into the third period to even the score at four.
Nanaimo scored the eventual winning goal at the 12:46 mark and added an empty-net insurance marker with nine seconds remaining on the clock.
Andrew was named the game’s first star ahead of Dylan Hewlett, who had three assists, and Clippers’ forward Tristan Fraser, who scored once and added an assist.
Lalonde, Mark D’Agostino, Anthony Lucarelli, Nathan Small and Karter McNarland had assists for the home team. Powell River outshot the visitors 34-32. Attendance was 637.
The two teams square off again tonight (February 12) at Hap Parker Arena. Game time is 5 pm.
In other hockey action earlier in the day at Hap Parker Arena, Powell River Regals defeated Rossland Warriors 7-5 in the first of two playoff meetings this weekend. Game two starts at 1:30 pm today (February 12) at Powell River Recreation Complex.
Dawson Creek, Rossland and the Regals are involved in a three-team round-robin-format playoff to determine who will play in a best-of-three Coy Cup senior AA provincial championship series hosted by the Central Interior Hockey League (CIHL) champion.
Rossland has a record of two wins and three losses after five games of round robin play. Dawson Creek has won its only two games so far, while the Regals have one win and two losses after playing three games.
CIHL teams include Terrace, Prince Rupert, Smithers, Hazelton, Quesnel, Williams Lake and Kitimat.
