Powell River, BC – Derek Krall’s first career shutout guided the Powell River Kings (11-13) to a 2-0 win over the number one ranked Coquitlam Express (19-5) in front of 684 fans on Sunday afternoon at the Hap Parker Arena.
Derek Krall made 12-saves in the first, and 28-saves overall for his first career shutout. He finished the weekend 2-0, earning two first star honours, allowing one goal on 58-shots.
“Without him, we wouldn’t have won that game,” said Kings forward Jacob Slipec on Krall’s performance. “He made some big saves that not every goalie can make. When we got Krall we were super excited because he’s a really good goalie.”
The Kings took a 2-0 lead into the third period. Levi Glasman opened the scoring early in the second with his 11th of the season, and 60th goal of his Jr. A career. Jacob Slipec scored at the second period buzzer, finding a rebound in front on the power-play. Slipec grabs his fifth of the season, while also scoring the Kings first power-play goal in five games.
The Kings were running a short bench with Christian Buono, Ethan Schmunk and Jack Long out of the game at that point after both teams accumulated 42 penalty minutes in the second, and 60 penalty minutes overall.
“I’m normally not out there,” laughed Slipec following his power-play marker. “I guess you could say coach took a gamble on me. With seconds dying down, everyone in the arena, including me was yelling shoot. It shows when you get pucks on net, good things will happen.”
The Kings improve to 9-0 when scoring first, and 7-4 on home ice this season. Slipec says that getting a 1-0 lead is the right formula to winning.
“That’s something we talk about, and it’s huge. Once you get that first goal, all the momentum is in your favor, and once you pick up on that momentum, it’s just a snowball effect.”
The Kings held the lead in the third period after a strong push back by the Express, as the shots were 9-4 in favor of Coquitlam and 28-24 Express overall. Slipec added that a key part of the game was going 3-3 on the penalty kill, and 6-6 in that department over their two wins.
Ben Wozney tallied two assists, while Hunter McCoy and Dawson McKay extended their point-streaks to two games with assists.
The Powell River Kings are now fourth in the Island Division Standings with 22-points. That’s just one point behind the Alberni Valley Bulldogs who have three games in hand on the Kings. After week 10 of the season, the Kings are 11th in the BCHL standings.
The Powell River Kings continue their five game homestand Friday, November 15th at 7:00 p.m., against the Trail Smoke Eaters, who come into play 16-6-3.
