POWELL RIVER 5
VICTORIA 3
听
The Powell River Kings sent a message to the Victoria Grizzlies over the weekend: They are not about to concede first place in the Island Division just yet.
The surging Kings beat the Grizzlies 5-3 in front of 1,068 fans at The Q Centre on Sunday afternoon to sweep the two-game set and move to within four points of the Island Division-leading Grizzlies. A week ago, the Grizzlies (27-10-3-4) were 10 points ahead of the Kings (28-16-1-0), but Powell River is now riding a seven-game winning streak and the Grizzlies, after going the first three months without losing back-to-back games, have done it twice in the last 10 days.
The Kings got things started early Sunday, scoring just nine seconds into the game when Jonny Evans capitalized on a turnover by Grizzlies defenceman Drayson Pears in front of Victoria goalie Tony Rehm.
The Grizzlies did draw even six minutes later thanks to Lucas Clark鈥檚 10th goal of the season.
But Liam Lawson, with two minutes to go in the first, and Kyle Betts four minutes into the second period, put the Kings up 3-1 after two period.
The Grizzlies got some life early in the third period with goals from Jamie Rome and Nathan Looysen two minutes apart, but a quick power-play goal from Tristan Mullin midway through the third put the Kings up for good. Betts added an empty-netter in the final seconds.
Brian Wilson stopped 28 of the 31 shots he faced in the Kings鈥� goal, while Rehm finished with 32 saves.
The Grizzlies, who again played without the services of captain Cody Van Lierop and No. 1 netminder Matthew Galajda due to illness, now turn their attention to the Cowichan Valley Capitals. The two teams will play a home-and-home set beginning Thursday night at The Q Centre, and finishing Friday night at the Island Savings Centre in Duncan.
