Kings top Dogs 3-0 to sweep three-game set

The Kings controlled the play early from the opening puck drop, as the Dogs struggled to find their legs. The Kings put a good amount of pucks on net and built up a 9-1 advantage in shots that led to a 1-0 lead as Jarid Lukosevicius deflected a Jordan Burns point shot past Tyger Howat. Matt Scarth also picked up an assist on the play at 10:43 of the first period. The Bulldogs would get their game going as the period wore on, having several good chances around the net, including on two deflections on a late power play, but they couldn't beat Jeff Smith as the Kings took the 1-0 lead into the room after one, with a 9-8 lead in shots.

The Bulldogs came out with a jump in their step to start the second and carried the better of the play and had several good chances, out-shooting the Kings 7-0 to open the frame. The Kings needed just one shot to build their lead against the flow of play though, as Jarid Lukosevicius put a cross-ice pass through two Bulldog defenders and onto the tape of Kurt Keats who one-timed it into the wide open net. Matt Scarth again picked up the second assist at 7:29 of the second. The Dogs responded well after the goal, but as the period wore on the Kings controlled the bulk of the play and the Dogs were unable to get much of a sustained attack going with the Kings carrying the 2-0 lead to the room after 40 minutes.

The Kings would play a very tidy third period protecting their lead, looking very much like the League's best team. The Dogs would have several good scoring chances, but certainly not enough, as the Kings made the lead stand until Lucas Grayson found a loose puck at centre and deked out a Bulldog defender to have a breakaway on the empty net to seal the deal. Assists on the play went to Kurt Keats and Stephen Hiff at the 18:38 mark of the third period for the 3-0 Final.

Shots favoured the Kings 29-26 with Jeff Smith picking up second star honours with the win and the shutout, his second straight and third in three starts against the Dogs this season, while Tyger Howat picked up 3rd star honours with the loss. The Dogs went 0 for 4 on the power play while the Kings went 0 for 3.

The Dogs are in Nanaimo tomorrow night, and back home against the Capitals on Saturday.

Hammer