By: Dante De Caria | Photo: Alicia Baas
Powell River, BC – The Cowichan Valley Capitals (32-13-7) took game two of a double-header, defeating the Powell River Kings (26-21-4), 3-2 in overtime in front a crowd of 830 on Saturday night at the Hap Parker Arena.
Matthew Crasa scored the overtime winner 54 seconds into the frame, walking down the wall and ripping the puck past the glove of Derek Krall for 25th of the season. The Capitals grab their fifth overtime victory of the season, and third overtime win against the Kings this season.
“We were too passive (in overtime), and we sat back and let them line change,” said Kings assistant coach Brock Sawyer, as the Kings fall to 1-4 in overtime this season. “Nothing against Brett Roloson, Jack Brackett and Jack Long, they did a good job, but we were too passive. You wanna play tight. But hey, we got three of four points this weekend and we can go and get five of six in this three game set. Losing in overtime sucks, but we battled to get the point.”
The Kings came back from a 2-0 deficit early in the third period. Brett Pfoh roofed a shot from the left circle, and 40 seconds later, Jack Brackett tied the game, putting home a rebound off that redirected off glass and in front.
“It showed a lot of character about our group to stick with it, and keep fighting” said Sawyer. “Pfoh sits in a quiet spot, and rips one one over the goalies shoulder. Then it was a great entry off the rush where I thought Dylan Finlay was going to grab his first one, but he shot it over the net, and luckily it bounced off the glass, and Brackett went hard to the net and made no mistake.”
The Powell River Kings five game winning-streak comes to an end, but their point-streak continues. The Kings have now recorded at least a point in eight games , going 6-0-2 during that time.
“Give our guys credit, it’s a young group that’s getting better everyday” added Sawyer. “Two or three months ago, we get down 2-0, that game is over more or less. It’s a group that’s finding their identity.”
The Capitals improve to 10-1-3 over their last 14-games after their 32nd win of the season. They now have 71-points, which is first in the Island Division and third in the BCHL. The Kings are now up 56-points this season, which third in the Island Division (four points up on the Alberni Valley Bulldogs), and seventh in the BCHL.
Kings goaltender Derek Krall (20-8) made 17-saves in the second period, and 27-saves overall in the loss. Capitals netminder Zach Borgiel (23-9) made 28-saves on 30-shots for his seventh win over his last nine starts.
Jack Brackett extended his point-streak to five games (4G/5A) with his 13th of the season, while Jacob Slipec also extended his point-streak to five games (1G/8A) with an assist on Brackett’s goal.
The Kings have now recorded nine of a possible 14-points in the season series against the Capitals (3-1-3). The Powell River Kings are back in action on Wednesday in Duncan, as they play the Capitals for the eighth and final time this season.
The Kings are back at home Friday and Saturday with a double-header against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
