The Powell River Kings may have finished in second spot during the regular season, but they are looking more determined than ever to take down the Coastal Conference and avenge last year's Fred Page Cup loss to the Vernon Vipers.
With only one loss all postseason, they have elevated their game following a 36-win regular season. The Kings defeated Cowichan Valley Capitals in five games and swept the Langley Chiefs on Saturday night to advance to the Coastal Conference Final, which begins Friday in either Alberni Valley or Powell River.
The valuable experience from last season's playoff run will serve as valuable experience as the playoff grind continues.
“What they garnered last year, coming close to winning the [Fred Page Cup] title, I think they know what it takes now and they’ve been playing very well,” says Kings' head coach Kent Lewis.
The play of Matt Garbowsky, the BCHL’s reigning Player of the Week, has also helped the hockey club taste postseason success. After a steady regular season in which he notched 27 goals and 53 points in 51 games, the St. George, Ontario native has exploded offensively.
Garbowsky has averaged over two points per game with 11 goals and nine assists between the first two playoff series. He’s tallied four three-point games so far, including a hat-trick performance in Game 3 against the Capitals.
More than anything, the chemistry he’s developed with linemate import Daniel Carr has been a big key to his hot streak.
Carr, an All-Star from the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s St. Albert Steel, was picked up late in the season for a deep playoff run like the one Powell River has imagined since losing the Fred Page Cup last April. The rookie is second in team scoring with seven goals and eight assists.
“Coming into our league, Daniel’s done a fantastic job down the stretch putting up good numbers. Those two have really clicked,” says Lewis. We were going the first two rounds without our top goal-scorer Andrew Pettitt – he’s only played the opener against Cowichan. So we’ve Teagan Waugh in there [on the top line] and rotated it a little bit, but I think Carr and Garbowsky really started to click.”
Dean Merrick, Kings' play-by-play broadcaster agrees: “They really work well together. They’ve found some great chemistry and feed off each other really well. They’re both so strong in the corners and on the boards. They work magic getting the puck in front of the net and most times they’re scoring — and some nice goals.”
But Powell River boasts one of the deepest lineups offensively and has received timely contributions beyond the top line. Jordan Grant has 13 points for the Kings. Chad Niddery, leading scorer during the regular season, has chipped in with nine points and Mitch Labreche brings seven points to the lineup.
“I think it’s just been a hard-working effort of four lines coming in waves at the opposition. The great down low cycle game keeps the puck 200 feet from our net and wears down the other team's defensemen,” says Merrick.
The team’s third line has been particularly impressive to Merrick. It features 20-year-old Cody Rainaldi, who has scored three playoff goals for the Kings and added a pair of helpers along the way.
“Those top two lines are getting some good points, but you’re getting contributions at the right time from those other two lines as well. We’ve basically gone with 11 forwards with Carter Shinkaruk being out hurt for the most part of the playoffs. There’s not much difference; all the lines are playing well.”
On the backend, a shutdown game starts with goaltender Josh Watson who's been stellar throughout the playoffs for the Kings. In nine games, he has a goals-against average of 1.56 with shutouts in both series clinchers against Cowichan Valley and Langley.
“When he’s been called upon he’s been very good,” says Merrick. “One thing I’ve noticed about him is his rebound control. He isn't giving other team’s second and third opportunities. But it’s a team game and we feel like we have one of the strongest, if not the strongest, defensive cores in the league. That certainly helps out [Watson’s] game.”
Mat Bodie, the 2009 Coastal Conference Rookie of the Year, is a two-way defenseman who leads the charge for Powell River. It's a group that's only given up an average of 1.5 goals per game through two rounds.
Bodie earned the Coastal Conference’s Top Defenseman award for a great regular season and is continuing that solid play into the postseason. Bodie is currently tied for fifth in BCHL playoff scoring with 14 points to his credit in the two series.
“Matt’s a guy who’s just been waiting for this time of year,” Lewis says.
Bodie and the Kings now set their sights on the Coastal Conference Final looking for a return ticket to the Fred Page Cup final. But whatever team they face, Lewis warns there are no guarantees in a league that’s full of parity come playoff time.
“In our league, you can’t point to one team as the favourite,” says Lewis. “I think whoever gets into this Final Four has a shot at it. You would maybe give [Vernon] the nod because they’re defending champions, but I’m not giving anybody anything. It’s going to be really interesting.”
