Carter Stekman’s game-winning goal with 3:49 remaining in Powell River U15 Kings’ playoff game versus North Island (Tri-Port) Eagles on Saturday, March 4, sealed the Vancouver Island Amateur Hockey Association Tier 3 title for the local minor hockey club.
The win earned the U15 squad a berth in the provincial finals in Port Alberni later this month.
Jack Webber, Jaxon Peters, Paxton Schreiber, Beau Jameson Gagne and Tristan Hawkins also scored for the Kings, who trailed 1-0 after the first period at Donald Cruickshank Memorial Arena in Port Hardy, but rallied to lead 4-3 heading into the final frame.
Eagles capitalized on a power play near the midpoint of the third period, then took a 5-4 lead with a shorthanded marker four minutes later. That lead was short-lived, however, as Hawkins tied the score 5-5 with 4:26 on the clock, just 37 seconds before Chase Fontaine set up Stekman’s game- and series-clinching goal.
Fontaine finished with three assists, while Schreiber, Gagne, Connal Miller, Nathan Gruntman and Keaton Bryce recorded one helper each.
Powell River won game one of the best-of-three championship series 8-2 at home last weekend.
The provincial championship tournament takes place from March 19 to 22.
Powell River Minor Hockey Association's U13 team is also off the the provincials after a win over Alberni Valley, also on March 4.
