There must always be balance in the world. With last night’s defensive and goaltending showcase it was only fitting that the offence took its turn in the spotlight. To say it took that time on stage and ran with it would be a massive understatement.
After 20 minutes of play this game stood at 1-0 after Powell River manufactured a goal in the opening 60 seconds of play. Then the second period happened.
Eight goals. Both sides lit the fuse on what was an offensive firestorm. In the first 30 seconds both the Kings and Coquitlam scored in similar fashion. Thomas Belzil and Mason Kesselring finished off nice cross-ice feeds to beat the opposing netminders. Then Wyatt Davis and Marek Beaudoin tallied for the home side to increase the lead to 4-1 where Jeff Wagner was forced to call timeout. The riot act was read and the Express responded. Joseph Odyniec ripped a wrist shot while charging down the wing to beat Lamberti. Then Kesselring clocked his second with a beautiful shot upstairs with little to no room over the goalie’s shoulder. And finally Nick Wellenreiter had a centreing feed go off the skate of a defender and into the back of the goal.
But as was mentioned, there must always be balance.
The bad bounce that gave Wellenreiter the goal provided some karma to the Kings who then got a bounce off Cooper Wilson right to Jake Westhaver. The Victoria, BC product went right in on Eric Young and slid it five hole to take the lead back.
The third period saw the defence wake up for both teams and batten down the hatches. The final goal of regulation didn’t materialize until the 17:10 mark. Mason Kesselring completed the hat trick with a wicked one-timer from the right circle to tie the game up and send it to overtime. Kesselring was sensational tonight, picking up four points on his way to second star honours.
In the extra frame it was the home side who would go home happy. Thomas Belzil got the winner when his shot deflected off a stick of an Express player in the slot and beat Eric Young right under the crossbar.
Talking with Assistant Coach Brett Sonne after the game, the disappointment in the defensive effort was clear. The feeling was there were guys who gave the 60 minute effort required to come away victorious, and others that did not. The going gets tough and the tough need to get going. In a game like tonight there can’t be shifts off as the pace is picking up and the defensive lapses in the second period piled up to create the goal total Powell River needed for success.
The proof is in the pudding. You cannot always outscore your problems but Coquitlam sure came close in a barn burner at Hap Parker.
Up next for your Express is a homestand against more Island competition. The Bulldogs are in town Friday, November 15th followed by a Saturday night showdown with the Victoria Grizzlies.
FORTIS BC ENERGY PLAYER – Jake Westhaver
MARINER BREWING THREE STARS
3rd – PR – Joel Purdom – 2A
2nd – COQ – Mason Kesselring – 3G 1A
1st – PR – Thomas Belzil – Two goals including OT Winner
– Ian Wilson
