Powell River Kings met Victoria Grizzlies on Friday, February 2, at the Q Centre in Victoria in the first of two BC Hockey League (BCHL) road games on Vancouver Island this weekend.
Kristians Samitis' first goal for the Kings turned out to be the game winner. In his third game with the BCHL club, Samitis scored unassisted just over two minutes after the hosts tied the score 2-2 early in the third period. Anthony Yu added an insurance marker into the empty net with 2:24 remaining in the game after the Grizzlies pulled their goalie in favour of an extra attacker.
After a scoreless first period, Victoria opened the scoring at 4:44 of period two. The lead was short-lived, however, as Powell River responded by capitalizing on two of four power play chances in the middle frame. Adam Mendelson and Alex Sandhu combined to set up Thomas Belzil's fourth goal of the season to knot the score at one, then Sandhu and Belzil set up Rémi Gélinas, who put the Kings ahead prior to the second intermission.
Vincent Lamberti made 38 saves for the Kings, who were outshot 40-35. Mendelson picked up his second assist of the game on Yu's empty-netter.
Powell River converted on two of six power play opportunities; Victoria was one for three with the extra attacker. Attendance at the Q Centre was 1,181.
Kings face Nanaimo Clippers on Saturday, February 3, in Nanaimo.
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