Smith shines in loss to Bulldogs

After a thrilling OT win the night before against the Capitals the Kings came into Port Alberni on a two game win streak, looking to extend it to three against the Bulldogs in their 6th meeting of the season.

The Bulldogs would get on the scoreboard early on the power play just 3 minutes in as Bulldogs Captain Stephen Castagna would score on a one timer from the left circle that beat Smith over the shoulder. The Bulldogs would control the play in the first period putting 16 shots on Smith who would stop 15 of them including a breakaway and a few 2 on 1 rushes. The Kings did have a 4 minute power play but failed to convert. The Bulldogs out shot the Kings 16-7 after the first period.

Thing would finally start going the Kings way in the second as very early on the Kings would find themselves on a 5 on 3 man advantage. Parker LaLonde would send a cross ice pass to Hunter Andrew in the right circle and put home the one timer for his 11th of the season and to even the score at 1. The Bulldogs would take control back after the Kings tied it, continuing to apply the pressure in the o-zone, but the Kings where able to withstand the onslaught while killing three penalties in the process to head to the third tied up.

Alberni would continue to dominate the Kings in the final period applying a strong forecheck making it difficult for the Kings to escape their own zone. The Bulldogs would have numerous chances early in the period but Matthias Smith was stud stopping everything that came his way and was leaving no rebounds. However the Bulldogs would solve Smith with 6 minutes left as Josh Van Unen would feed Logan Holm in front of the net 4 on 4 and he was able to sneak past one past Smith to give Alberni the lead. Playing their sixth game in nine days the Kings looked to be running on empty all night as they struggled to generate offensively and played a majority of the game in the defensive zone and outshooting the Kings in the period 16-9. The Kings would have an opportunity to even the score as Stephen Castagna took a tripping penalty with 1:51 remaining. Smith would be on the bench for the extra attacker to make it a 6 on 4. The Bulldogs did a great job of keeping the puck pinned along the boards to kill time. The best chance would be from Casey Aman who’s point shot hit the post. The Kings would not be able to score before time expired as the Bulldogs won 2-1.

Both teams would finish 1 for 5 on the power play while the Bulldogs outshot the Kings 41-23. Matthias Smith was sensational in net for the Kings giving them a chance and keeping it close all game making 39 saves on the night and was named the 3rd star of the game.

The Kings have played very well against a good Bulldogs team who sit 2nd in the Costal Conference and 5th overall in the BCHL. Their record is 2-3-1 against Alberni with five of the six games being decided by one goal. Two more meetings remain versus the Dawgs, both of them in Alberni later this month.

The Kings still remain 7th in the Coastal Conference with a record of 12-21-5 and are 5 points up on the Express and Capitals.

The Kings will return home this weekend for a double header vs the Nanaimo Clippers.

Friday at 7pm (originally scheduled for Feb 13) & Saturday at 5pm (Retro Night)