Michael Behan scored the overtime winner for Powell River Regals in an 8-7, come-from-behind playoff win over Rossland Warriors at Hap Parker Arena on February 12. The win was the second in as many days for the Regals, after downing the Warriors 7-5 on February 11.
Rossland had posted two playoff wins at home over Powell River in late January.
“I’m so proud of how we responded from our road trip losses; we proved we can play at this level,” said Regals’ coach Tod English. “We grossly outshot them and their goalie played well; we just couldn’t adjust to their style, which was to look for the long break and get behind our defence. [Goaltender] Rob McNutt played so well in Rossland and on Friday in Powell River. He had an off game on Saturday and it was great for the team to bail him out in dramatic fashion.”
Regals trailed 3-2 after 20 minutes on Saturday and 5-4 heading into the third period, which featured a flurry of goals and lead changes. Tyler Carpendale and Mike Marklund scored for the Regals in the first period; Isaac Embree and Bekkam Willis found the back of the net in period two.
“Bekkam really shored up our defensive core, allowing us to be a threat offensively when we needed a goal,” said English. “We showed that when down we can push for the tying or goal-ahead goal.”
After Travis Granbois and Ethan Schmunk scored 38 seconds apart early in the third period to give the home team the lead, Rossland answered with a pair of goals to lead 7-6 with 5:36 remaining. Powell River responded again, forcing overtime with a goal by Braeden Behan with just 16 seconds left on the clock, which led to the heroics by Michael Behan 45 seconds into extra time.
“The line of Carpendale, Schmunk and Braeden Behan, with Mike Behan and Jack Long on defence, was a threat all game and not only tied it, but finished it in overtime,” said the coach. “In my memory it was the most dramatic finish since the three overtime games versus Williams Lake back in 2017; it was a great team win and everyone who played skated hard and made a difference.”
Regals 7-Warriors 5
Carpendale scored twice in the first period on February 11, and added two more goals in the third to lead the Regals, who led 3-1 after 20 minutes. Trevor Burnett had the other first period goal for the home team.
Rossland turned the tables in period two, outscoring the Regals 3-1 to knot the game at four goals apiece after 40 minutes. Jordan Kamprath scored for the Regals.
The third period mirrored the first, with another four goals being scored, three for the Regals (Carpendale’s pair and Michael Behan) and one for the visitors.
“This weekend was pivotal for staying alive in the round-robin, but more importantly, for these young players who are playing together for the first time as we rebuild the club from a young core, including 10 players under 22, and 15 Powell River guys on the roster,” said English. “It didn’t seem like long ago that Joe Calderone and Andy Welsh were leading the charge on the ice; now we have veterans like Trevor Burnett and Ryan Fairgray. It will take some time for this new core to develop a system that they all can be successful at.
“Trevor was on our last Coy Cup [provincial AA] championship team in 2010 and also part of our Savage Cup [provincial AAA] win in 2012. For the past few years we haven’t had what we showed this weekend, which is really talented local guys playing with passion alongside their friends.”
The two teams, along with Dawson Creek, are in the midst of a three-team, round-robin-format playoff to determine who will play in a best-of-three Coy Cup senior AA provincial championship series hosted by the Central Interior Hockey League (CIHL) champion.
Regals have now evened their record in the three-team series with two wins and two losses, all against Rossland, who have two wins and four losses. Dawson Creek has won its only two games so far, both against Rossland.
“It’s a best win/loss round-robin, then the head-to-head record for a tiebreaker if necessary, then goals for and against,” said English. “The best Rossland can do is four wins and four losses if they beat Dawson twice at home next weekend. We can be 6-2 with four wins over Dawson, so like any playoffs, we win and we’re in.”
Dates for Regals’ games versus Dawson Creek are to be determined, according to English.
CIHL teams include Terrace, Prince Rupert, Smithers, Hazelton, Quesnel, Williams Lake and Kitimat.
