Powell River Kings built a three-goal lead over Cowichan Valley Capitals through two periods on Friday, December 10, but the visiting club dominated the third period en route to a comeback win.
Parker Lalonde opened the scoring for the Kings in the first period, then added his eighth of the BC Hockey League (BCHL) season while shorthanded for a 2-0 Kings’ lead with five minutes remaining in period two. Lalonde was also involved in the third goal of the game just over two minutes later, combining with Casey Aman to assist on Caleb Parkhouse’s fourth of the campaign.
Nolan Krogfoss and Dylan Finlay picked up first period assists for the Kings.
Cowichan took over the game in the third period, outshooting the Kings 19-7 (45-31 overall).
Shane LeVelle gave the visitors life with a goal at the four-minute mark, but the Kings managed to hold the 3-1 lead until late in the game, when Ian Kern came back to haunt his former club. The Capitals’ defender, who spent the 2019/2020 season with Powell River, cut his team’s deficit to one with 2:05 remaining on the clock. Capitals’ goaltender Bidewell McCoy was on the bench in favour of an extra attacker at the time.
McCoy was pulled again when Kern forced overtime with the tying goal; one second remained on the clock at the time.
Massimo Sarantos Lombardi secured the 4-3 win for Cowichan 1:09 into overtime with his sixth goal of the season, and third in three minutes and 14 seconds for his team over the final frame and extra time.
Kings’ goaltender Matthias Smith made 41 saves while McCoy turned aside 28 shots. Attendance at Hap Parker Arena was 655.
Kings host Nanaimo Clippers tonight (December 11). The scheduled start time of 5 pm has been changed to 7:15 pm.
