Powell River Kings directed 55 shots at Victoria Grizzlies' goaltender Cole Schwebius on Friday, March 4, but managed only two goals in a 3-2 shootout loss at home.
Both teams scored once in the first period. Nolan Krogfoss equalized for the Kings while both teams were shorthanded after the visitors opened the scoring 4:28 into the game. Nathan Small and Anthony Lucarelli picked up assists on the play.
Jason Marsella and Nic Porchetta set up Lucarelli’s 12th goal of the BC Hockey League (BCHL) season 36 seconds into period two to give the Kings their only lead of the game.
Grizzlies forced overtime with the fourth even-strength goal of the game at 12:34 of the third period. The visitors had one power play in the game while the Kings had four, all of which were unsuccessful.
The overtime period did not produce a winning goal, despite five shots by Victoria and three from Powell River. Schwebius stopped all four attempts in the shootout while Zak Brice, who made 34 saves during the game, stopped the first three shooters before Kalen Szeto beat him for the winner.
With the one point from the extra time loss, Kings moved into sole possession of the eighth and final playoff spot in the BCHL Coastal Conference, one point ahead of Cowichan Valley Capitals, who lost 6-3 in Nanaimo, also on March 4.
Attendance at Hap Parker Arena was 660.
The two teams meet again tonight in Powell River. Game time is 7 pm.
