It’s been over three weeks since the Terrace River Kings played in a meaningful hockey game, due to the team earning a bye-in into the semifinals for the Central Interior Hockey League Playoffs. Currently holding an organization high of a 16-2-0 record, the River Kings will look to continue that success up against the Hazelton Wolverines in a best-of-three series.
These two teams have met each other three times in the regular season, including the River Kings’ home opener back on September 28th. Terrace put on a dominant performance, coming out with an 8-2 victory. Fast forward two months later on November 30th, the River Kings once again, claimed victory on home ice with an 8-4 win. Though they only lost twice this year, the Wolverines gave them second loss of the season, while visiting Hazelton by a score of 7-3.
That was the last game the River Kings played, back on February 1st.
“It’s not ideal obviously, but you look at our roster last year and Ryan was away in Australia so we didn’t have him in our playoff run last year,” said Team Manager Germain Francoeur. “Marcus also got hurt last year in the finals, so it’s a matter of someone else stepping up on our team. We have good depth and injuries happen. Every team goes through that, so for now we’re looking at game 1 and I know the boys will be ready.”
Despite holding home ice advantage for the rest of the playoffs, fans will have to wait one more week to see the team at the Terrace Sportsplex. The first game will be hosted in Hazelton on Saturday with a 7:30pm puck drop, followed by a potential back-to-back scenario in Terrace next weekend.
“Every year it seems to go to three games,” said Francoeur. “Both teams are ready to advance and play the winner of the eastern conference, but we expect a tough game of hockey for potentially all three games.”