Powell River Regals met old rivals Penticton Silver Bullets for the first time in nearly three decades last weekend. The two teams last faced off at the 1994 senior AAA Savage Cup provincial championship tournament in Prince George, which Penticton went on to win.
In the same venue (Memorial Arena in Penticton) where the Silver Bullets edged the Regals in the senior AA Coy Cup championship game back in 1992, the two teams quickly became reacquainted on October 14.
Isaac Embre opened the scoring for the Regals in the first period, then Ethan Schmunk gave the green and gold a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes.
“Penticton came out hard and tied the game up mid second and went ahead 3-2,” said Regals’ coach Tod English. “Jack Long got a tying goal for us, making it a 3-3 tie heading into third.”
Embree put the Regals up 4-3 with a go-ahead goal midway through the final frame, but Penticton stormed back again to tie the game with 3:39 remaining.
“Then, a controversial, blatant offside goal scored with three seconds left gave them the 5-4 win,” said English. “It was a great effort on the road with some new young guys in our lineup. Our compete level was good and it will improve with all these games coming up.”
Regals outshot their opponents 42 to 35 with goaltender Rob McNutt making 30 saves in the loss.
The following night, Embree opened the scoring again, but Penticton broke the game open at the 11-minute mark of first period, according to English. After tying the score at one a couple minutes earlier, the Silver Bullets exploded for three more quick goals to take control of the game.
“In a bizarre 30 seconds, Penticton scored three goals to lead 4-1 after one period,” said English. “Everyone had a great second and third period, allowing one goal in the second and another in third. I was proud of how we battled and didn’t allow the first period to dictate the rest of the game."
McNutt made 52 saves in the 6-1 loss, 12 more than his counterpart.
Regals will host the Silver Bullets at Hap Parker Arena for a pair of games this weekend. Game times are 7 pm on Friday, October 21, and Saturday, October 22.
“We expect a good series of games here,” said English, “They are likely a team we will have to play off against in March for a berth in the Coy Cup provincials.”
After winning the Coy Cup in 1992, Penticton moved up to the AAA level in 1993, then folded in 1995. The Friday night game against the Regals was the club's first since its return.
Powell River stayed at the AA level for another year, hosted the Coy Cup tournament in 1993 and defeated New Westminster Beavers in the final. Regals then followed the Silver Bullets in pursuit of the Savage Cup, winning it for the first time in 1995.
