Shorthanded Kings split doubleheader with conference best Chiefs
Coming off a relatively successful three game trip to the Lower Mainland the Kings were back home for their final two home games of 2024 as they took on the Coastal Conference leading Chilliwack Chiefs who entered the weekend winning 12 straight against the Kings. The odds were stacked against the Kings this weekend with 8 players out of the lineup with injury plus they wouldn’t have Noah Samanski who is preparing for the World Juniors with Team Germany. The Kings were only able to dress 10 forwards and 6 defenseman with 2 affiliates included.
Down many bodies it would be the Kings who got the lead when Christian Maro’s cross ice pass deflected of the stick of Chiefs defenseman Tucker Shedd and in the net. The goal would be the 7th of the season for Maro and his first since October 26th. The Chiefs would manage to tie it on a power play late in the period to make it 1-1 after one.
The second period would be all Chiefs. They outshot the Kings 17-4 and scored three times to take a commanding 4-1 lead to the third.
After a rough period the Kings found a way to comeback in the third period. Jason Davenport scored his second of the season early on with a long wrister from inside the blueline to cut the Chilliwack lead to two. It remained 4-2 less than 6 minutes left in the game. The Kings found themselves shorthanded but they were able to take advantage when Brendan Giles stole the puck at the defensive blueline and went in on a shorthanded breakaway and scored his 5th on a backhander to make it 4-3. After killing the rest of the penalty the Kings found themselves with a glorious opportunity by getting a power play with just over 2 minutes left. They pulled the goalie to make it 6 on 4 and were able to get some nice looks but couldn’t find the back of the net. Chilliwack would eventually ice it when Nathan Morin scored two empty netters to give his team a 6-3 win.
Despite the loss the Kings were feeling good going into the rematch on Saturday. However things didn’t get any easier with Willem Terwoord not able to play limiting the Kings to just 5 defensemen to go along with the 10 forwards. Down many bodies the Kings didn’t let that hinder them as they came out firing. Wyatt Davis opened the scoring 3:02 in then Joel Purdom made it 2-0 at 11:29. Chilliwack would get withing one late in the first as the Kings lead 2-1 through the first period.
In the second the Chiefs were presented with a great chance to tie going on a 5 on 3 power play. The Kings killed off the two man advantage and when it was 5 on 4 the Kings made a move shorthanded when Wyatt Davis drove to the net. He set up Christian Maro who’s first shot was stopped but he knocked in his own rebound to give the Kings the two goal lead back which they took heading to the third.
The highly potent Chilliwack Chiefs aimed for a big third period comeback. They controlled most of the play but the Kings didn’t budge defensively. They got a big insurance marker just past the midway point when Landon Marleau set up Brendan Giles who wired his second of the weekend to make it 4-1. Now the Chiefs showed why they are the top team in the coastal conference making this game a little more interesting down the stretch. They scored on a 6 on 4 power play with under three minutes left then added one more with 20 seconds to go to make it 4-3. Now up by one the Kings managed to hold off the Chiefs comeback to pick up a big win at the Hap.
Now in the second half of the season the Kings are 7-19-2-1 with one more game to go before the holiday break. They will be in Duncan to meet with the red hot Capitals for the second time this season. The Kings will be back at home in 2025 when they host the Caps January 3rd and 4th.
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