Back-to-back wins for Kings in midweek road trip

After a pair of losses last weekend, the Elmira Sugar Kings turned things around midweek, defeating Welland 4-3 in overtime on Tuesday and dumping Kitchener 7-4 the following night.

The Kings scored six power play goals in the two wins, and leading scorer Brent Freeman added a pair of shorthanded goals in the victory over Kitchener.

On Tuesday night, Welland’s Michael Paonessa started things off with a goal five minutes in. That one-goal lead lasted most of the first period until Kings captain Patrick Shantz, recently back from injury, pounded in a power play goal with two minutes left.

Elmira moved out in front in the second period and again in the third, but each time Welland tied things back up, forcing overtime.

A minute and a half into the overtime period, Welland was handed a penalty for tripping, making it four on three. Trent Brown finished things off 30 seconds later, blasting the puck past Welland keeper Vince Kusick and sending the Kings home with the win.

On Wednesday, the Kings visited Kitchener, currently sitting in second place in the division standings. The Dutchmen racked up 45 minutes in penalties on 16 infractions, handing the Kings 13 power play opportunities, and the Kings were quick to take advantage.

Elmira’s Philip Teri drew first blood with a goal seven minutes in. The Dutchmen evened things up late in the first, and the period ended 1-1.

In the second period, the Kings moved out in front. Paul Thompson scored on the power play three minutes in on a feed from Shantz. Jarred Parent widened the margin midway through the period, scoring eight seconds into another power play.

Mike Doran notched Kitchener’s only power play goal with six minutes remaining in the second, bringing the Dutchmen within one. Two minutes later, Freeman powered the puck up the ice for a shorthanded goal, making it 4-2.

Kitchener came back with a shorthanded goal of their own a minute into the third period. Less than a minute later, Josh Ranalli answered back for the Kings on the power play, making it 5-3. Nic MacEachern widened the Kings’ lead to three at 5:48.

Alex Lubczuk scored unassisted for the Dutchmen with seven minutes left, but Freeman sealed the deal with a shorthanded, unassisted goal, leaving the final score 7-4.

The Kings head to Stratford on Friday before wrapping up their busy week with a home game against Cambridge on Sunday. The puck drops at 7 p.m.