A dominant start to the first period carried Victoria Grizzlies to a 6-4 win over the visiting Powell River Kings on Friday, November 19.
In a span of one minute and 14 seconds, the home team scored a trio of goals to lead 3-0 just 3:55 into the BC Hockey League contest at the Q Centre.
Michael Hoekstra put another puck into an empty net just over a minute later, but unfortunately for the Grizzlies forward, it was at his own end of the ice. The goal for the Kings, which was credited to Kaleb Nelson, came while play continued before a delayed penalty call. Victoria’s goaltender had skated to the bench for an extra attacker.
Grizzlies regained the three-goal lead with a fourth goal against Kings’ goalie Thomas Wardle at the 13:21 mark.
Powell River defender Dylan Finlay scored the only goal of the second period, assisted by Hunter Andrew and Parker Lalonde, cutting the lead to 4-2 after 40 minutes.
The teams combined for four goals in the third period. Victoria scored first for a 5-2 lead, before Nathan Small (from Nolan Krogfoss and Casey Aman) and Anthony Lucarelli (from Mark D’Agostino and Finlay) replied for Powell River to make it a one-goal game with 6:24 remaining on the clock.
Grizzlies secured the win with an insurance marker at 16:52.
Attendance was 1,393.
Powell River’s next scheduled home game, November 21 against Trail, has been postponed due to provincial highway closures related to the atmospheric river that damaged multiple provincial routes earlier this week.
The league has postponed several games due to flooding impacts that are restricting travel between the Lower Mainland and interior of the province.
Kings play in Chilliwack on November 24. Games in Merritt on November 27 and Vernon on November 28 have been postponed.
In an added game, Nanaimo visits Powell River on November 27. Game time at Hap Parker Arena is 7 pm.
