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Kings look to take stranglehold on BCHL series with Victoria Grizzlies

2-1 win in Powell River on Monday gives Kings 2-1 series lead, game 4 on Sunshine Coast tonight
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Goaltender Matthew Galajda of the Victoria Grizzlies smothers the puck on a Powell River shot during action in the teams' B.C. Hockey League Island Division final series. He made 33 stops in a losing effort Monday as the Kings downed the Grizzlies 2-1 in game 3 in Powell River. The Kings take a 2-1 series lead into game 4 tonight back at Hap Parker Arena. Game 5 is set for the The Q Centre in Colwood this Thursday at 7 p.m.

The Powell River Kings held a decided advantage over the Island Division champion Victoria Grizzlies this regular season.

The Sunshine Coast squad hopes to continue that trend tonight (March 21) on home ice, as they take a 2-1 lead into game 4 of the teams' B.C. Hockey League best-of-seven Island playoff final.

The Kings erased a 1-0 Grizzlies lead in the third period Monday, scoring twice and holding off a concerted Victoria attack to post a 2-1 victory. Cam Donaldson bagged the winning goal 12:41 into the final frame.

Jamie Rome opened the scoring for the Grizzlies late in the second period.

Then the Kings' Kyle Betts tied it up 5:13 into the third, ending Victoria goalie Matthew Galajda's shutout string of more than 105 minutes.

The Grizzlies outshot the Kings 16-8 in the third, with Brian Wilson making some outstanding saves along the way to preserve the win. He stopped 37 shots in all, while Galajda finished with 33 saves.

Game 5 sees the teams return to The Q Centre for a 7 p.m. start. Game 6, if necessary, would return to Powell River for Saturday night, while game 7 would be played back in Colwood next Monday. Find ticket details at victoriagrizzlies.com.

editor@goldstreamgazette.com

Previous stories on the series:

Galajda comes up big, BCHL Grizzlies find scoring touch to win game 2 vs. Kings

Kings need double overtime to grab game 1 win against Grizzlies