After dropping a game the Kings felt they should’ve won on Friday, the Kings would look to right that wrong and pick up a win for the first time in 5 games.
Things didn’t start to pick up until the 2nd period where right after the Kings killed a penalty at the start of the period Sam Belanger passed up to Nathan Small fresh out of the penalty box and the D-man had a breakaway and made the most of it by going to the backhand and beating Bulldogs goalie Hayden Dunford under the glove as Small opened the scoring for the 2nd night in a row. The Kings had another opportunity in the period to get another goal as Nolan Krogfoss had the perfect chance on the penalty shot but failed to fool Dunford by going to the forehand and the Kings took the 1-0 lead heading into the final period.
The Bulldogs would push for the equalizer in the 3rd but the Kings defence and Matthias Smith in net had a very strong game for the Kings. The boys would add an insurance marker at 8:25 after Max Potvin forced a turnover behind the Bulldogs net and fed Aaron Neal who was alone in the slot and went skate to stick to beat Dunford with the backhander. The Kings would get into some penalty trouble late and the Bulldogs got one with 1:17 left as Josh Zary scored his 3rd goal in 2 games off a deflection. Luckily for the Kings that was all they would allow as the picked up the victory 2-1.
Matthias Smith made 37 saves for his 1st BCHL win, and it was the first time the Kings held an opponent to less than 2 goals in a game this season. Although the power play went 0 for 5 the penalty kill was strong despite allowing the late goal. The win ended the Kings 5 game losing streak and they now have a record of 8-11-1.
Up next is Teddy Bear Toss night Friday Dec 10 at Hap Parker vs the Cowichan Capitals.
