It was a high-action, double-overtime game in Terrace on Sunday afternoon, and the Terrace River Kings suffered a narrow 6-7 loss to the Quesnel Kangaroos.
“They started the game with a lot of energy and intensity,” said coach Kevin Legros. “We took a 4-1 lead in the second period, but then the wheels came off.”
Legros said it was a good back and forth, but a disappointing result.
Steve Cullis from the River Kings fired his first shot into the back of the net just under half way through the first. Players fought back and forth of the rest of the period, but the Kangaroos managed to tie up the game with only 30 seconds left in the first.
The second period was packed with action and launched with a River Kings scoring streak.
Cullis fired in a shot just three minutes into the period, followed by Ben Reinbolt three minutes later and then Corbin Legros.
That put the score at 4-1, but the Kangaroos kept up their energy, firing off two quick goals at ten minutes in the second, tightening the score up to 4-3.
But the River Kings were not done, and Tristan Murray buried one in the back of the net with only three minutes left, earning the Kings a 5-3 lead to end the second period.
Players hit the ice with force in the third period, and the Kangaroos found the back of the net just four minutes in.
Only a few minutes later they landed another shot, bringing the game to a 5-5 tie.
Teams fought hard for the next five minutes, until William Orrey landed a shot to claim the River King lead.
But the Kangaroos were relentless, scoring again to even the score 6-6 with only two minutes left on the clock.
An intense overtime followed the goal, and netminders held off the attacks to the bitter end.
The River Kings almost seized a chance, with Ben Reinbolt taking a breakaway early on, but his shot hit post.
Teams hit the ice again for a second overtime and the Kangaroos managed to pick up a loose puck in the slot and fire it in to win the game 7-6.
The River Kings are gearing up to hit the ice again Friday night, facing the Williams Lake Stampeders at the Terrace Sportsplex at 7 p.m.
Legros said the team appreciates all the great fan support, and says the next game should be a tight, entertaining game.
“They’re going to be tough to battle… we’re going to have to play our A-game,” Legros said.
He says that though the team has a 1-3 win record, with only one win in the season so far, it is only a matter of time.
“We’re just not getting the breaks right now, but they will come,” he said.
“The hard work is there and the attitude is there, so everything will eventually come together.”