Powell River Regals began Coy Cup senior AA provincial hockey playoffs with a pair of games in Rossland last weekend.
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 2022 Coy Cup senior AA provincial championship series hosted by the Central Interior Hockey League (CIHL) champion.
Regals’ forward Tyler Carpendale opened the scoring midway through the first period on January 28. Trevor Isaksson doubled the lead to 2-0 eight minutes later, with assists going to Carpendale and Travis Granbois.
“The first period was super strong for us,” said Regals’ coach Tod English. “Tyler Carpendale was dangerous all night around the net.”
The host Warriors scored the only goal in the second period, cutting the deficit in half.
“It was tight checking in the second, and our short bench was getting exploited,” said English. “Rossland tough guy Keiran Hill went after Dan Amesbury, which turned into an epic heavyweight scrap, and left us with only three players on defence.”
The ice continued to tilt in favour of the home team in the final period. Rossland tied the game 18 seconds after the initial faceoff, added the winning goal at 11:12, and secured the win with an empty-net insurance marker with eight seconds remaining on the clock.
“They really came out flying in the third,” said English. “Rob McNutt played very well in net and kept us in it.”
McNutt made 31 saves for the Regals, who were outshot 35-33 overall.
Rossland turned the tables by scoring the first and only goal of the opening period on January 29, setting the stage for a see-saw battle in the second period.
“Carpendale fired a bullet from left side hash marks on a power play to tie it at one in the first minute, then Rossland went ahead four minutes later,” said English.
Amesbury replied for the Regals, also with the extra attacker, to make it 2-2, before the teams traded even-strength goals prior to intermission. Bekkam Willis scored the third Regals’ goal.
Warriors dominated the final frame for the second night in a row, this time scoring five unanswered goals en route to an 8-3 win.
Shot totals were even with 30 apiece; McNutt made 22 saves for the visitors. Granbois had a pair of assists.
Rossland has a record of two wins and two losses after four games of round robin play. Dawson Creek has won its only two games so far, while the Regals are winless after playing twice.
Regals host Rossland for a pair of games on Friday, February 11 (3:30 pm - Hap Parker Arena), and Saturday, February 12 (1:30 pm - Rink).
CIHL teams include Terrace, Prince Rupert, Smithers, Hazelton, Quesnel, Williams Lake and Kitimat.
