Venue: Rolling Mix Concrete Arena
Game Time: Thursday December 1st @ 7pm
The last time the Prince George Spruce Kings lost at home was on October 16th against the Powell River Kings in a game where PG outshot the visitors 51-21, but were 1-0 victims. The streak lasted nine games with there being one tie mixed in with eight wins. Chilliwack ended it with a 3-2 win in the RMCA last night.
The Chilliwack Chiefs fell 4-1 the last time they travelled north, and their aggressive play hurt them as Prince George went two for six on the man advantage. The opposite happened last night as the Spruce Kings were unsuccessful on five attempts. Chilliwack meanwhile went two for four.
With a goal and assist last night, Jamie Huber moved out of a tie with Tommy Lee, and now sits second in rookie scoring around the BCHL. He now has 10 of his 28 points in the last five games. Ben Brar scored with 17 minutes gone in the game to get Prince George within one. The goal was his second in five games with the Spruce Kings since being acquired from the Penticton Vees a few weeks ago.
This will be the first meeting between Prince George and Victoria this season. They will face-off in Victoria on December 18th which will be the last game before the Christmas break. Last season Victoria was 3-0 against the Spruce Kings with one game coming in overtime at the BCHL Bauer Showcase. In the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena the Grizzles came away with a 4-2 victory.
The Grizzlies are currently on a two game winning streak, and have won four of their last five.
PLAYER PREVIEW: Jamie Huber
BROADCAST LINKS
WATCH on HockeyTV
LISTEN on Mixlr
STANDINGS:
Victoria sits first in the Island Division with 41 points in 28 games. The Powell River Kings are nipping on their heels just two points back, but the Grizzlies do hold two games in hand. Offense for the Grizzlies isn’t overly threatening sitting 8th in the league with 100 goals on the season. They’ve been a force defensively though, allowing just 65 goals which is second fewest in the league.
The Spruce Kings sit in the middle of the Mainland pack 13 points behind the Chilliwack Chiefs, and six up on the Langley Rivermen. Taking on the Coquitlam Express who have been struggling lately, the Rivermen have a good chance to pickup the win so the Spruce Kings will need a win of their own to keep the room between them. Surrey who is seven points behind takes on the Wenatchee Wild down south where the Eagles last 4-1 last night.
WHO TO WATCH:
PRINCE GEORGE:
Lucas Barker – FWD: In a tight game last night, Barker’s ice time decreased in the third period, but look for a clean slate tonight. Making his BCHL debut last night, Barker had a good scoring chance in his first shift, but the puck wound up bouncing over his stick.
Connor Russell – DEF: The former Cowichan Valley Capital has collected four points in three games this year against his old division. He had the GWG against his former team back in September. He added two goals and an assist in the 8-0 rout of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
VICTORIA:
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Cole Pickup – FWD: He has battled some injures, but in 23 games, the Victoria product has scored 32 points already. He is 16 points behind his season total from all of last year where he had 48 points in a full 58 game season.
Tyler Welsh – FWD: Having committed to Yale University for next season, Welsh is set to be a future teammate of Kyle Johnson. Tonight they won’t be so friendly though, and Welsh is the leading scorer for Victoria and someone the Spruce Kings need to key in on.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
Spruce Kings vs Langley Rivermen – Thursday December 8th, 7pm – Rolling Mix Concrete Arena
Spruce Kings vs Langley Rivermen – Friday December 9th, 7pm – Rolling Mix Concrete Arena
