After absorbing a 5-2 loss to the Victoria Grizzlies in their previous meeting at The Q Centre, the Powell River Kings came looking to even the score Monday night.
The Kings built a 5-0 lead midway through the third period, gave up three goals in less than three minutes, but managed to cruise to a 6-3 win over the hometown Grizzlies in B.C. Hockey League play in Colwood.
The win pulled Powell River (16-14-0-7) even with the Grizzlies (16-11-1-6) for second spot in the Island Division, but Victoria enjoys three games in hand.
The Grizzlies can retake second place tonight at The Q Centre with a win over Cowichan Valley. Victoria continues its busy week Friday at home with another game against the Capitals, then takes the ferry to Powell River for a Saturday night contest.
The Kings received goals from five different scorers last night before Victoria's Brett Gruber broke goalie Brett Magnus' goose egg with a power play goal 10:52 into the third.
Dane Gibson, who helped set up Gruber's goal with Meirs Moore, scored just over two minutes later from Moore and Jake Emilio when the Kings took the extra penalty in a scuffle. Then P.J. Conlon made it 5-3 with 6:13 to go.
Despite putting increased pressure on the Kings in the dying minutes, the locals were unable to pull closer and gave up an empty net goal to Tony DeVito.
Tonight's game is Toonie Tuesday, with game tickets and certain food and beverage items going for just $2. Puck drop is 7 p.m.
editor@goldstreamgazette.com