The Prinzen Ford U18 Prince Edward County Kings didn’t sit around feeling sorry for themselves after dropping Game 1 of their Best-of-Three Regional Quarterfinal series against the Stirling Blues.

The Kings battled back and blanked the Blues in both Games 2 and 3 in Picton Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, to move on to play Brighton in the second round.

Goaltender Jack Lavender posted goose eggs in both games and Kings skipper Steve Payne said his team played well in the wins.

“We were pressuring Stirling’s defence on the forecheck and good things happened,” Coach Payne said. “Monday’s overtime loss in Stirling was a heartbreaker but I’m really proud of the way this group responded to the adversity.”

In the pivotal Game Three Thursday, Kennan Elliot set up Alex Lavender at 7:18 of the opening frame for all the offence the Kings would need on this night.

Less than a minute later, while the Kings were on the penalty kill, Ryker Wood sprung Jayden Haas for a shorthanded tally that put the game out of reach considering how well their netminder was playing.

“Jack Lavender’s goaltending was the heart of the team in Games 2 and 3,” the coach added.

After a scoreless second, Mr. Elliot bagged a goal early in the third to make it 3-0 and Cam Billing lit the lamp late to make it a 4-0 final.

A night prior, Alex Lavender had both goals in a 2-0 whitewash.

The Kings were due to draw the Brighton Bolts in the OMHA regional semifinals starting last weekend. For a schedule and results, visit www.pecmha.com