Powell River Regals set for home opener

After opening their season on the road earlier this month, Powell River Regals will host Penticton Silver Bullets for a pair of games at home on Friday, October 20, and Saturday, October 21. Both games at Hap Parker Arena start at 7:30 pm.

Regals began their quest to hoist the Coy Cup, British Columbia’s senior male AA hockey championship, with a game in Lumby, BC, on October 7. The game marked the return of senior hockey to that community after a four decade absence.

“It was a 13-hour trip for us, and we basically only had time to warm up after arriving,” said Regals’ coach Tod English. “Lumby had a full lineup and lots of emotion; they were taking the body during the first period in front of a very boisterous crowd with mostly players from Vernon and the Okanagan mixed with some ex-pros and ex-junior players.” 

Alex Jalbert and Gabe Shipley scored for the Regals, who trailed 2-1 after 20 minutes and 4-2 heading to the third period.

“Laslo Tomasic started the game in goal and faced an onslaught for the first 10 minutes,” said English. “The boards were lively and two bad bounces ended up in goals against.”

The hometown Lumberjacks added a pair of shorthanded goals in the final frame to win 6-2.

Goaltender Ryan Fairgray took over for the second half the game and put in a strong performance for the first game of the season, according to English.

Ethan Schmunk, Isaac Embree, Mike Markland and Brad Cimaglia recorded assists for Powell River.

“Lumby was playing their first senior game in decades and they came out trying to damage everything,” said English. “It was probably the worst we have seen in years when it comes to late hits, bad refereeing and no respect.”

Regals will host the Coy Cup tournament, when three regional winners will compete for the trophy with the home team, in March of 2024.

Lumby will visit in January.

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