When the situation looks in doubt, turn to your captain.
That’s exactly what the Prince George Spruce Kings did on Thursday as Kyle Johnson punched the team’s ticket to the Fred Page Cup Final scoring the overtime winner in a 2-1 victory over the Powell River Kings at the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena.
The 19-year-old took control of the puck at 8:06 of the extra frame and found enough space to beat Matteo Paler-Chow in front of 2,032 fans.
“I was really excited, I couldn’t stop from jumping up in the air and that’s about all I figured I could do and the boys were just all over me and it was a ton of fun.”
Prince George had the edge in territorial play for the first two periods outshooting the Kings 26-11 but were unable to capitalize on four power-plays and could not solve Paler-Chow who stopped 46 Spruce King shots.
The game stayed scoreless until Powell River double-deflected a shot that found its way to Kyle Kawamura and put them in front 1-0 late in the third period.
With the thought of a 16-hour road trip within the Spruce Kings crosshairs, Dylan Anhorn gave the crowd and the team a shot of energy as he ripped a one-timer past Paler-Chow with the goalie pulled.
“Our emotions were on a bit of a rollercoaster for sure as we felt they didn’t earn any quality chances at that point and that goal was hard not to get deflated by it but I am proud of our guys and how we responded and the way we battled,” added Johnson.
Evan DeBrouwer turned aside 29 Powell River shots in the game five victory.
“It’s been that way all playoffs, the biggest games the guys play incredible game seven against Chilliwack and Surrey and every game that we faced elimination in the last series the guys were unreal especially my defence letting me stop the puck and rebound that was there, they were all over it. I can’t enough good things about this team because they have been so good to me this year.”
Prince George outshot Powell River 48-30 overall and take the best-of-seven matchup 4-1.
The Spruce Kings will take a couple of days off before awaiting their opponent either the Trail Smoke Eaters or the Wenatchee Wild.
