Venue: Rolling Mix Concrete Arena
Game Time: Wednesday January 11th @ 7pm
A tough trip to the island last weekend was capped off with a 4-1 win over the Nanaimo Clippers. There were a combined 17 power plays in the game with Spruce Kings going 3 for 10. That game followed a pair of losses where Prince George lost 10-4 in Powell River, and 4-1 in Alberni Valley.
Prince George has now been outshot four games in a row which hasn’t happened since the start of the year where the team was outshot in the first five games. The power play has been red hot for the Spruce Kings who have scored nine goals on the man advantage in five games since coming back from the Christmas break. One key addition has been Drew Lennon who has three points in the last five games, with the whole trip coming when up a man. He has one goal and two assists in that span.
After squeezing into the playoffs last year, the Vipers intend to roll in with some authority this time around. All six teams from the Interior Division will make the playoffs this year unless there is a wild card from the Mainland which at this point doesn’t look likely. Coming in on an eight game point streak, the most notable was this past Saturday where the Vipers beat the Vees in Penticton 4-2. Vernon has received some tough news of late though losing forward Chrsitian Cakebread to an NCAA scholarship, as well as Captain Riley Brandt and Jake Gingras to injuries. All three were missing from the game against Penticton though, so they managed to move on alright.
Last season Prince George won 4-3 in Vernon, and the Vipers extracted revenge with a 6-2 win in the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena. Kyle Johnson is the only returning player to have a point last year against Vernon with two assists.
BROADCAST LINKS
WATCH on HockeyTV
LISTEN on Mixlr
STANDINGS:
Thanks to their win on Sunday, Prince George now has a one point lead on the Langley Rivermen for third in the Mainland. The team is still a ways behind Chilliwack 13 points back, but the Chiefs are in town this weekend, and if Prince George can sweep, it will make things a lot more interesting.
Always the bridesmaid for Vernon. With the Penticton Vees in the division, it’s tough to find the number one spot. Vernon is 12 points back of the Vees, and have a seven point lead on the Trail Smoke Eaters. If Vernon can hold onto the second spot, they will have a bye through the first round of the playoffs.
WHO TO WATCH:
PRINCE GEORGE:
Hunter Luhmann – FWD: A 24 game goal drought may be on the mind of Luhmann, but he had some good looks at net last night. He hasn’t scored since a pair of tallies against the Surrey Eagles October 22nd, and the Spruce Kings will need some offense from him as they push to hold onto 3rd in the Mainland.
Drew Lennon – DEF: Since coming back from the break, Drew Lennon has been a man on a mission. As said above, he has three power play points in the last five games, and has helped catalyst a power play that has scored nine goals in four games. He said the goal he had against the Nanaimo Clippers was one of the nicest he has scored in his career.
VERNON:
Brett Stapley – FWD: Thanks to a stretch of nine games where he put up 13 points, Stapley now leads all 1999 born players in points, a spot formerly held by Spruce Kings Ethan de Jong. Last year against PG Stapley had one assist. In the last 19 games, he has 21 points.
Brett Witala – FWD: Starting with the Prince George Spruce Kings, Witala was one of the final cuts from main camp. He has been hitting the scoresheet a lot this season with the Kelowna Chiefs racking up 45 points and 136 PIM in 28 games.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
Spruce Kings vs Chilliwack Chiefs – Friday January 13th, 7pm – Rolling Mix Concrete Arena
Spruce Kings vs Chilliwack Chiefs – Saturday January 14th, 7pm – Rolling Mix Concrete Arena
Spruce Kings @ Wenatchee Wild – Friday January 20th, 7pm – Town Toyota Center
