It was another successful season for the Terrace River Kings, as they found themselves lifting the Cameron Kerr trophy for the third time in the last four seasons. It also happens to be their fourth finals appearance in a row, and their opponent happened to be the only team that beat them in the finals. The Quesnel Kangaroos, beat them by a series of 2-1, two seasons ago in 2023.
The home team scored two quick goals in the first period to hold onto a 2-0 lead, then Mitchell Brown of the Kangaroos cut the lead to within one. Shortly after, Quesnel tied it up on the power play to head into the 1st intermission tied at 2 apiece.
Despite Jakob McLean putting the River Kings back on top, the team ran into penalty trouble, allowing two powerplay goals on a double minor. They ended the 2nd period down 4-3, and had to figure out how to come out flying in the 3rd period. On what was said in the dressing room:
“For the most part it was ‘breathe, step back and we’ll be alright’ and mainly stay out of the penalty box,” said goaltender Daniel Paul. “We needed to get back to five on five hockey and see what we could do in the third.”
“Nothing worth having comes without adversity,” said forward Garrett Kerr. “What we knew is that we needed to stay out of the penalty box. We felt like we were the better team, and just had to stick with it.”
From there, no River King entered the penalty box, and the team knew that they could be the better team at five on five play.
A quick goal from Colin Bell tied the game up at 4 apiece, and then Mason Richey snuck a shot through the pads with 2 minutes left in the game. This gave Quesnel only a spare bit of time to send it to overtime.
But the River Kings locked down on defense and won the title. This finals win tied a bow on a historic season, where they already set a regular season record (16-2-0) in CIHL history. The word ‘dynasty’ could be thrown around to some, but the players didn’t want to use that word just yet.
“I don’t know, I’m not sure,” said Paul with a chuckle. “We’re a good group, a good team and we find ways to win when it matters. It’s a close knit group, and this one feels really good.”
“Not around me,” said Kerr. “I was pretty lucky to hitch my ride onto an incredible hockey team, and none of this happens without the legacy that the River Kings have carried for my brothers.”
It was an emotional game for Kerr, who lifted the trophy named after his brother, Cameron, who was tragically killed in a hit-and-run back in 2018. It was also his second year in a row to lift the trophy first.
“This team is pretty incredible to me and my family,” said Kerr. “It’s just amazing to be able to hoist it on home ice in front of a sold out arena and it was incredible support from the community once again.”
The River Kings will have one more shot to continue their success in less than two weeks from now, with the Coy Cup tournament in Prince Rupert. Terrace also happens to be defending Coy Cup champions, and will look to capture their second title in organization history.