Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Kings take 3-1 series edge with triple-OT win

Press Release

The longest game to date of the 2011 Fred Page Cup playoffs was ended on a deflection goal by Powell River's Steven Schmidt as the Kings defeated the Surrey Eagles 2-1 in triple overtime.

The Kings now lead the Coastal Conference final 3-1.

Powell River's Chad Niddery opened the scoring at 13:02 of the first on a power play and Surrey's Brandon Morley tied it unassisted less than five minutes later. There would not be another goal for another 87 minutes and seven seconds.

But the time in between goals was not uneventful. Eventual OT hero Schmidt and Daniel Gentzler exchanged pleasantries early in the second and each team would have to kill two penalties in the middle frame.

Powell River took two penalties in the third but killed them off leading to overtime. Shots were 42-32 Surrey after regulation.

Goalies Michael Garteig of the Kings and Karel St. Laurent were busy enough in the extra frames but couldn't be beaten. That is until the 4:52 mark of the third OT when Schmidt directed home a Justin Dasilva shot to clinch it.

The final shot tally was 68-64 Kings. Game 5 goes Thursday in Powell River.

In Salmon Arm, the Vernon Vipers tied the Interior Conference final at two games apiece with a 3-2 win over the SilverBacks as the road teams continue dominance in the series.

Vernon had the only goal of the opening period with Marcus Basara tallying just over five minutes in. A pair of Bryce Gervais goals in the second gave Salmon Arm the lead but they couldn't maintain it with Malcolm Lyles and Trevor Fitzgerald tallying late in the frame.

The third saw the Vipers outshoot Salmon Arm 9-7 but no more goals came.Dylan Walchuk was held scoreless for Vernon but was given 1st Star honours.

Game 5 goes Thursday in Vernon.

(Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)

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