Powell River U18 Kings rebounded from a shaky first minute of play versus Alberni Valley U18 Bulldogs on January 20, then coasted to a dominant win at Weyerhaeuser Arena in Port Alberni.
The home team beat Kings' goaltender Nic Baggaley just 46 seconds after the opening faceoff. But Baggaley shut the door from that point on, blanking the Bulldogs for the rest of the game while his teammates responded and took over offensively.
Carter Stekman set up Liam Carroll, who knotted the score at one goal apiece midway through the first period. Kings took over in the second period with a trio of goals from Evan Piniewski, Benjamin Belyea and Beau Jameson Gagne. Piniewski and Reece Deeble were credited with assists.
Tristan Hawkins added an unassisted insurance marker in the third period to make the final 5-1.
Following late evening travel after the game, Powell River players showed no sign of road weariness the next day in Campbell River when closing out their regular season schedule against the Tyees at Strathcona Gardens.
Team captain Tyler Durant scored the only goal of the first period, beating the Campbell River goaltender after an end-to-end rush. For the second game in as many days, Kings found the back of the net three times in the second period, with Piniewski, Belyea and Paxton Schreiber (see video below) converting to put the visitors up 4-0.
Tyees cut the deficit in half with goals late in the second period and early in the third, but their comeback attempt was thwarted courtesy of goals by Quinn Carlson and Carroll, 46 seconds apart, late in the final frame.
Powell River goals were set up by Cullen Wilson, Hawkins (two), Jeremy Pukesh (two), Durant (two), Schreiber, Carlson, Belyea and Nathan Gruntman. Luke Dennis earned the win in goal by turning aside 29 of the 31 shots he faced.
U18 Kings face North Island Eagles in their first playoff game in Port Hardy on Sunday, January 28. A return trip to Port Alberni is scheduled for February 3, this time for postseason play. Kings will host Oceanside in playoff action at Hap Parker Arena on Saturday, February 10 (1:30 pm).
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