The North Island Atom Eagles travelled down island to Powell River on the weekend for a two-game series against the Kings, and they came back home with their first league play win of the season.
“Powell River (is) possibly the Eagles biggest rivalry over the years,” said Atoms head coach Dennis Foster. “Most former players will alway have a story about Powell River. These atoms made some memories this weekend.”
The Eagles had lost to the Kings 8-0 during their recent Christmas tournament, and their first game against them on Saturday ended up being another frustrating loss, this time 5-2.
Goals were scored by Kyle Rushton and captain Rylan Krawietz, with the lone assist going to Dakota Knighton.
While the Eagles may have lost by three goals, there were still some definite bright spots for the team during the game.
At one point, “They were winning 2-1, proving to themselves that they can compete with the Kings,” said Foster, who added that an early Sunday morning storm knocked the power out at their hotel, “leaving us all wondering if Sundays league game was still on. The hotel staff was there to inform us the arena did have power still.”
The Eagles came out hustling in the first period, changing lines quickly to keep their legs fresh, which allowed them to jump out to an early lead and never look back.
The Eagles scored five goals over three periods, thanks to Krawietz (x2), Tyce Manke, Tanner Livingston, and Rushton. Assists went to Krawietz and Travyn Foster. Eagles’ goaltender Matt Mercer “held the fort in the third when the Kings made a late push to try and catch the Eagles on the scoreboard,” noted Foster, who was proud to say the game came to a close 5-2, giving the Eagles their first official win in league play this season.