The Morinville Kings are a game down in the second series of NCHL playoffs after an 8-4 home-ice loss to the Devon Barons Saturday night.
The Kings got off to a rough start Saturday night against the rival Devon Barons. A short bench left the Kings short a goal and trailing the Barons 2-1 at the end of the first.
The second period saw the senior AA club battle back to a 4-3 deficit with a minute and five left on the clock. Panasuik’s goaltending kept that deficit from being higher as the Barons lead in chances 33-21 by the end of the middle frame.
Returning to the ice trailing by one, the Kings soon found themselves down by three goals In a rough game.
With 6:13 left in the contest, the Kings closed the margin to 6-4, but found that the gap widened to 7-4 a minute later and to 8-4 with 2:42 left on the clock.
Game two takes place in Devon Friday night. Game three will be played Saturday night in Morinville at 8:30 p.m.
