Powell River Minor Hockey hosted a U15 recreation tournament from January 17 to 19, which resulted in the home team topping the podium.
Powell River U15C Kings battled hard in the round robin, finishing with two wins (8-3 over Cowichan and 4-3 over New Westminster) on January 17 and a 6-3 loss to Ridge Meadows the next day.
The semifinal game against Vancouver on January 19 went to a shootout, won 4-3 by the home team, securing its spot in the final. Andon Palmquist scored twice for Powell River. Pearson Coburn and Matt Murphy had one goal each.
The final later on Sunday was a back and forth contest that ended in a 5-5 regulation tie. U15C Kings pulled ahead 3-0 through two periods with goals from Matthew Marchand (two) and Colby Hobbs. Semiahmoo Ravens fought back in the third period to make it 3-2 before the Kings went ahead 4-2 courtesy of a goal from Gabriel Cudmore.
The visitors responded with a pair of goals to tie the score at 4-4, before Marchand restored the lead with his hat-trick goal midway through the period.
Ravens bounced back again, scoring on a power play late in the third period to tie the game and force overtime, but it only took a short time for the Kings to score the winner. Marchand buried his fourth goal of the game after picking up a rebound from a Coburn shot to capture the gold medal in a nail-biting finish.
Ridge Meadows edged Vancouver 2-1 in the bronze medal game. Eight teams started tournament play on January 17.
Organizers expressed gratitude for all the hometown support on and off the ice.
Join the Peak's email list for the top headlines right in your inbox Monday to Friday.
