A combination of close games and lopsided results were posted by Powell River Minor Hockey Association teams last weekend, with multiple teams claiming victories in various venues.
U18
In a penalty-filled game on Sunday, December 3, Powell River U18 Kings rallied from a three goal, second period deficit to defeat Kerry Park U18 Islanders for the second time in as many days.
After the teams exchanged goals in the first period, Powell River took three straight penalties, and Kerry Park converted all three into power play goals to take a 4-1 lead midway through period two.
The game took a turn in favour of the visiting Kings when play resumed after the mid-period intermission. Evan Piniewski, Tristan Hawkins, Tyler Durant and Trentyn Takeda scored over a 2:06 span to put the Kings up 5-4. Shortly thereafter, a melee ensued behind the Islanders’ net, resulting in all 10 skaters on the ice being sent to the penalty box for multiple head contact infractions.
Powell River returned to scoring early in the third period. Ben Belyea notched the eventual game-winning goal just 37 seconds after the faceoff at centre ice. He scored again six minutes later, after Kerry Park had crept to within a goal, to make the final 7-5.
Jeremy Pukesh set up two Powell River goals, including Paxton Schreiber’s first period marker. Noah Culos, Belyea, Quinn Carlson and Hawkins were also credited with assists. Luke Dennis earned the win in goal.
Twenty-four hours earlier, also at Kerry Park Recreation Centre, Culos, with a pair, Hawkins, Belyea, Durant and Schreiber scored for the Kings, who trailed 2-1 after the first period and 4-2 midway through the middle frame. Four straight goals from that point sealed a 6-5 win, despite a late goal and push from the Islanders. Derek Khan, Belyea, Culos and Hawkins each set up one goal. Nic Baggley was the winning goalie.
U18 Kings host Alberni Valley this weekend. Game times are 3:30 pm on Saturday, December 9, and 8:30 am on Sunday, December 10.
U15
Powell River U15 Kings also had a successful road trip, posting two decisive wins over Cowichan Valley U15 Capitals at Fuller Lake Arena.
Lucas Gruntman recorded a hat-trick and Kooper Kozmeniuk scored twice to lead Powell River in a 7-2 win on December 2. Jackson Peters and Kesler Brown scored the other two goals and assisted on each other’s tallies. Gruntman also set up a pair of goals, while Jack Webber, Kozmeniuk and Cooper Lawry had one helper each.
The following day, Powell River skated to a 9-4 win at the same venue. Connal Miller, Gruntman, Lucas Vizzutti, Ryan Marshman and Lawry had one goal each. Webber and Kozmeniuk found the back of the net on two occasions. Assists went to Weston Kolba, Gruntman, with four, Webber, Kozmeniuk, Miller and Peters.
U15 Kings travel again this weekend, for games in Nanaimo on Saturday, December 9, and Oceanside the following day.
Powell River U15 Queens rallied from a two-goal deficit to defeat Victoria U15 Reign 5-2 at Powell River Recreation Complex on December 2.
Nelle Liefsoens started the comeback with a goal late in the second period, then added her second in the third period after Brinley Brooks and Braelyn Budgell had put the Queens up 3-2. Bree Behan, who also assisted on two goals, added an additional insurance marker late in the game. Luce Liefsoens and Willa Venselaar were also credited with assists.
U15 Queens have four games scheduled in Gibsons on December 8 and 9.
U13
Powell River U15 Kings recorded their own impressive road win on December 2 by downing Comox Valley 8-3.
Reid Stekman scored three times for the Kings, who led 4-1 after the first period and 5-2 heading into the third. Daelin Austin, Grayden Kendrick, Blake Peters, Pearson Coburn and Owen Lang had one goal each. Lang, Cameron Milne and Trey Lingard were credited with assists.
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