Kings close gap on Grizzlies

With the sting of back-to-back losses still in their memories banks, the Victoria Grizzlies were looking to make amends against the Powell River Kings in a B.C. Hockey League Island Division clash on Wednesday night at Hap Parker Arena.

It didn’t happen as Tristan Mullin and Jonny Evans scored their 34th and 35th goals of the season, respectively, in a 1:15 span in the second period to snap a 2-2 tie and pace Powell River to a 4-3 win.

The result snapped a six-game winning streak for the Grizzlies, who have now seen their lead atop the division slip to just two points, although they do have three games in hand on the Kings.

The Kings also win the season series against Victoria with five victories in the eight confrontations. Powell River has out-scored the Grizzlies 25-23 over those matchups.

“They got the three of the four they scored in a short time frame,” said Grizzlies general manager and head coach Craig Didmon, whose team was out-shot 38-34.

“I don’t think they were the better team tonight. They just found a way to win.”

Victoria led 2-1 after 20 minutes on goals by Cam Thompson and Carter Berger, wrapped around Carter Turnbull’s powerplay goal for Powell River. Then came three goals in a 7:13 span in the second for the hosts.

Hunter Findlater tied it at 2-2 4:10 into the middle period and after the two quick Kings’ goals, T.J. Friedmann managed to get one back on the Grizzlies’ power play late in the second to end the scoring.

With the loss, the Grizzlies fall to 33-11-3-4, while the Kings improve to 35-18-1-0.

Victoria will now host the Merritt Centennials and Salmon Arm Silverbacks on Saturday and Sunday at The Q Centre.