POWELL RIVER KINGS 5
VICTORIA ROYALS 1
The Victoria Grizzlies started Game 1 with a ton of energy, looking for a dream start against the Powell River Kings.
But the series opener of the B.C. Hockey League Island Division final quickly turned into a nightmare for the home side at The Q Centre, with the Kings skating away with a 5-1 win.
The Grizzlies were stymied at every turn by Kings rookie goalie Matteo Paler-Chow, going 0-for-6 on their power play in the first two periods.
And then things went from bad to worse for Victoria. First, it was rugged winger Ryan Nolan leaving the game early in the second due to injury. Then midway through the third period, starting netminder Kurtis Chapman, who came into Friday’s game with a 4-1 record and 1.52 goals-against average, was hurt in a collision on Powell River’s fourth goal and had to leave the game.
“We outchanced them and had some great moments, but their goalie made some key stops at some big times and that was the difference,” said Grizzlies GM and head coach Craig Didmon, who saw his club’s four-game playoff win streak come to an end.
“And then they took advantage of our mistakes. We didn’t make very many, but when we did, it cost us.”
The Grizzlies outshot the Kings 31-26 but all they had to show for it was a late third-period goal from Ethan Nother as Paler-Chow was equal to the task at every turn. The Kings rookie was forced to the forefront thanks to a late-season injury to veteran Mitch Adamyk, but he’s now 4-1 and lowered the 2.37 GAA he had coming into Friday’s game.
“I think maybe the guys may have taken the goalie for granted, not having seen him much, because we weren’t bearing down in front of the net like we usually do,” Didmon said.
While Paler-Chow was bailing his teammates out at one end, the Kings capitalized on their chances to keep the Grizzlies playing catch-up all game.
Veteran blue-liner Carmine Buono got his team started, joining the rush and beating Chapman with a high wrister midway through the first period. Despite being outshot 12-7 in the opening frame, Powell River went to the break up 1-0.
Ben Berard, who will be Cornell-bound in 2019, made it 2-0 early in the second. After the Grizzlies squandered a full two-minute 5-on-3 advantage, the Kings went down the ice and Ben Thomas made it 3-0.
“We had lots of looks on the power play so that wasn’t a problem,” Didmon said.
“This game was lost on not finishing chances, and that’s a good lesson for us. Things were going right for four games, now it’s time to get it back on track.”
Nanaimo product Carter Turnbull, who will head to University of Connecticut this fall, raced down the ice with eight minutes left in the third and beat Chapman, who was knocked into the net by a couple of players and had to be helped off the ice. Zack Rose came in for the Grizzlies and stopped all six shots he faced.
“We wanted to get a good start in Game 1, but we also know it’s only one game and now we get ready for tomorrow,” said Grizzlies rookie Alex Newhook, who helped set up Nother for their lone goal.
There was no word on the extent of the injuries to Nolan and Chapman immediately after the game, but the Grizzlies are turning their attention to Game 2 tonight.
“You never want to see your goalie go down, but we’re fortunate to have someone like Rosey who’s a great goalie as well. So we’re just going to crank the energy back up for Game 2 and hopefully get a good result.”
Games 3 and 4 in the series will be in Powell River on Monday and Tuesday.
LOOSE PUCKS: If a fifth game is needed, it will go next Friday at The Q Centre. Game 6 is set for next Saturday at Hap Parker, while a seventh-and-deciding game would be played March 26 at The Q Centre.
