Powell River U18 Kings have advanced to the second round of Vancouver Island Amateur Hockey Association playoffs, by the slimmest of margins.
Following a 2-1 loss to U18 Oceanside Generals at Hap Parker Arena on Saturday, February 10, and a 4-0 win for U18 North Island Eagles over Alberni Valley in Port McNeill that same day, tiebreakers were need to decided which team finished second in the opening round, four-team round-robin.
Paxton Schreiber scored the all-important lone goal in the second period for the Kings, who trailed 2-0 after the first period. Nic Baggaley backstopped the home team, turning aside 38 of the 40 shots he faced, several of which in spectacular fashion.
When the final horns sounded, two positions in the standings were clear. Oceanside topped the group with three wins and no losses, while winless Alberni was eliminated from further postseason play.
Powell River and North Island, on the other hand, were statistically tied in multiple ways. Both teams finished round one with one win, one tie (against each other) and one loss.
Powell River scored seven goals over the three games and allowed seven. North Island scored 12 times and gave up 12 goals, which also left the teams tied in goal differential (both even). It came down to penalty minutes, with Powell River accruing six fewer than North Island.
As a result, U18 Kings move on as the second seed and will face U18 Kerry Park Islanders on Saturday, February 17, at Kerry Park Recreation Centre. The winner will play for the VIAHA U18 Tier 3 championship. Oceanside will host Sooke in the other semi-final game.
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