By CKPG Today

Kings double up on Grizzlies, take 2-0 series lead

Mar 31, 2019 | 9:13 AM

The Spruce Kings took to the ice for game two of the Coastal Conference championship series looking to keep home-ice advantage before they hit the road.

It was a chippy affair as there were 11 penalties combined in the game and numerous scrums and mix-ups in the corners after the whistle. The Victoria Grizzlies would open the scoring on the power-play just before the halfway mark of the first period.

Riley Hughes potted his third of the playoffs with 2019 NHL draft prospect Alex Newhook picking up the assist along with Jordan Guiney. That would be all the offense in the first period with the Grizzlies holding a 1-0 lead after one and the shots deadlocked at 8 apiece.

The second period saw goals and penalties aplenty, with each side taking three penalties in the middle frame. The Kings would tie the game up early in the second with the local kid Corey Cunningham scoring his third of the playoffs and his second goal in as many games.

The Kings would then finally convert their only power-play goal on the night with Dustin Manz getting the goal just past the halfway mark of the second. The Kings power-play on the night went just 1/7.

Indigenous Arts and Culture

Omineca Arts Centre accepting submissions to be featured in art exhibit

6h ago

Cougars Playoffs

Cougars' success gives local businesses plenty to cheer about

8h ago

Upper Patricia residents concerned over toxic air

9h ago

Victoria would answer back just two minutes later with Cameron Thompson finding twine to even the game up at 2-2.

Corey Cunningham was not done though as he gave the Kings the lead again with under two minutes to play in the middle frame to give the Kings a 3-2 lead with one period left to play.

There were chances for both sides in the third but Dustin Manz would score his second of the game off a partial break to make it 4-2 Kings with just under 10 minutes left to play in the third. Logan Neaton and the rest of the Kings shut the door the rest of the way to seal it for the Kings.

Logan Neaton made 19 saves on 21 shots in the victory while Kurtis Chapman stopped 25 of the 29 shots he faced in the loss. Manz and Cunningham led the way offensively for the Kings with two goals each.

The win for the Kings marks seven in a row and improves their record in the playoffs to 10-1.

The Kings now have a 2-0 series lead and will look to take one if not both games on the road in Victoria to advance to the Fred Page Cup final.

Games three and four in the series goes Monday and Tuesday in Victoria, both at 7 p.m.