Game one of a three-team tournament to determine the west coast senior hockey championship took place at Hap Parker Arena on Saturday, January 11. Powell River Regals hosted Lake Cowichan Appollos to kick off the chase for the McCallum Cup, which also includes Nanaimo Steelmen.
“Game one started very quickly with Nic Porchetta converting nine seconds from the start of the game,” said Regals’ coach Tod English. “I’m not sure if that is a Regal record, but it sure must be close.”
Brett Kinley and Bryson Cecconi also scored first period goals for the Regals, who led 3-2 at intermission.
Powell River took control of the game with four goals in a three minute span midway through the second period, including another pair from Cecconi and one each scored by Travis Granbois and Mac Roy. Two quick Lake Cowichan goals cut the deficit to 7-4, but Chad Niddery and Roy restored a five goal lead at 9-4 with markers late in the period.
Appollos outscored the Regals 2-1 in the third period, but only after Niddery’s second of the night put the home team in cruise mode.
Goaltender Laszlo Tamasik made 34 saves in the 10-6 win. Half of the Regals goals came with the extra skater.
“This was the first game this year where we were outshot [40-29]; Tamasik made the saves we needed,” said English. “It’s not very often you get that many goals, but we are excited about how we responded, and our execution on the power play.”
Regals travel to Wyoming for a pair of exhibition games versus Jackson Hole Moose on January 24 and 25, before returning for game two of the McCallum Cup in Nanaimo on February 1.
“We are growing every game; our confidence in offence is super high,” said English. “We just need to clean up our own end.”
Two points are awarded for a win in the playoff series, one point for an overtime loss and one point in the case of a tie (no shootouts). The team with the most points after game six will be awarded the McCallum Cup.
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