Powell River U18 Kings faced a pair of must win games at home last weekend after falling behind in a best of three playoff series versus Cowichan Valley U18 Capitals.
Ben Belyea opened the scoring in the deciding game at Hap Parker Arena on Sunday, March 2, deflecting a pass through the goaltender early in the first period. Lucas Wadsworth doubled the lead three minutes later. A pivotal moment came shortly thereafter when Kings defender Nathan Gruntman was assessed a four-minute penalty. His team killed off the penalty, holding the lead at 2-0 after the first period of play.
Jeremy Pukesh scored an insurance goal in the second period and Beau Jameson Gagne rounded out the scoring in the third period to make the final 4-0. Leo Brosseau stopped all the shots he faced to record the shutout and earn first star recognition.
With the win, the Kings advance to the provincial championships in Smithers from March 17 to 20.
Game one
Powell River's comeback fell short in game one in Duncan on February 22. Kings fell behind 3-0 in the first period, cut the deficit to 4-3 after two periods and briefly tied the score at four early in the third before eventually falling 6-5.
Noah Culos and Evan Piniewski scored a pair of goals each for Powell River. Gagne had the other tally.
Game two
U18 Kings dominated the scoreboard when the series shifted to Hap Parker Arena on March 1.
Pukesh and Culos scored before and after a Cowichan goal for a 2-1 first period lead. Gagne, with two, and Keaton Bryce gave the home team a comfortable 5-1 lead by the midway point of the second period, which was cut to 5-2 by the visitors prior to intermission.
A fourth goal in two games by Culos accounted for the only scoring in the third period, making the final 6-2 and forcing the third and deciding game.
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