The Alberni Valley Bulldogs struck first but the Powell River Kings responded with three straight goals to claim a 4–2 win Saturday night at the Alberni Valley Multiplex.
A penalty-filled opening period saw plenty of physical play but no scoring, sending the teams into the first intermission tied 0–0.
The Bulldogs broke the deadlock early in the second period. At 5:56, Brandon Gill buried his 11th of the season after a setup from Brendan DeFeo and Caden Tremblay to give Alberni Valley a 1–0 lead.
Powell River answered later in the period. Ryan Hedley evened the score at 14:30 with assists from Josh Wiebe and Eliot Compton, and the Kings took the lead less than two minutes later when Erik Wittwer scored at 16:18, assisted by Compton and Max Bleicher, sending Powell River to the third period ahead 2–1.
The Kings extended their advantage early in the final frame when Eliot Compton scored at 9:51 to make it 3–1.
The Bulldogs responded quickly as Jackson Lackas cut the deficit to one just over a minute later. Lackas scored his fifth of the season at 10:58, with Grayson Salmon and Charlie Vincent picking up the assists.
Alberni Valley pushed for the equalizer late, pulling the goaltender for the extra attacker, but Josh Wiebe sealed the win for Powell River with an empty-net goal at 17:40.
Powell River held the edge in shots, outshooting the Bulldogs 50–27. Derik Brouillard was busy in the Alberni Valley crease, making 46 saves, while Devin Peck turned aside 25 shots to earn the win for the Kings.
Ryan Small was named the FortisBC Energy Player of the Game for the Bulldogs.
Three Stars of the game were Devin Peck (Powell River), Charlie Vincent (Alberni Valley), and Eliot Compton (Powell River).
The Bulldogs will look to bounce back as they continue their push through the final stretch of the BCHL regular season in Powell River tonight.
