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Spruce Kings Take 1 Point From Weekend

The Spruce Kings opening weekend had some ups and down. Starting out, they went as far as they possibly could, but 70 minutes would solve nothing in a 2-2 tie with the Merritt Centennials.

Captain Brett Mennear got the party started in front of 1023 people in the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena with his first goal the season 8:25 into the first period. Merritt would respond with a gut wrenching goal as with just 14 seconds on the clock, Nick Fidanza took a feed from Brett Jewell and beat Stefan Wornig for the game tying goal.

Period two would provide a mirror image, as both teams found the scoresheet once. First it was a goal by Jamie Huber as he spun and fired in the slot for the go-ahead goal. Again The Centennials would reply late as this time it was Jewell dealing the damage scoring with 1:50 remaining.

Each team would muster single digit shots in the third, but Wornig and Jacob Berger stood tall in their respective nets.

In overtime both team’s would go back and forth, with Merritt notable picking up seven shots in double overtime, but were unable to beat Wornig again.

The game would end in a 2-2 with the Wornig picking up first star after 33 saves, Berger being named second star with 27 saves, and Brett Mennear with a goal and an assist in his Spruce Kings debut was third. Adam Burnett was the Fortis Energy Player of the Game.

Night two would prove to be more difficult for the Spruce Kings as they were shutout by the Penticton Vees by a score of 4-0.

Stefan Wornig again got the start, and stopped 46 of 50 shots, while Mat Robson had 21 saves to earn a shutout in his BCHL debut.

Despite being outshot in the first 13-4, the Spruce Kings headed to the first intermission tied at zero. They killed off a pair of penalties, with Adam Burnett breaking up a great chance by lifting the stick of the Penticton forward outfront. Wornig followed that up with a big glove save to close out the period.

In the second Penticton, got off to ta quick start, and Wornig had to start an early breakaway. The Vees would be denied then, but were finally able to break through, courtesy of a fortunate bounce. With a Spruce King defender trying to clear the puck, it took a bad deflection, and wound up on the stick of Ty Amonte. Alone in the slot the Boston University bound forward made no mistake rifling a shot into the top left corner for the 1-0 lead.

Adam Burnett would head to the penalty box twice, but were unable to capitalize and double their lead heading to the final period.

It was there the Vees came alive scoring a trio of goals in a span of 11 minutes. With the bouncing in front of the net, and Wornig out of position, the Vees appeared to have three cracks at the empty net before Owen Sillinger was able to slide home the 2-0 goal. Four minutes later it was Amonte picking up his second of the evening with a sharp angled shot from the left side of the net finding twine.

The Vees capped things off with a beautiful passing play with Nic Jones the captain feeding Ryley Risling who dragged the puck to the middle of the net, and was able to find some space between the legs of Wornig for the 4-0 lead.

Prince George would push late, but were unable to beat Robson who earned the shutout. He would miss out on the three star selection though as Amonte picked up first star honours with two goals and an assist, Sillinger had the second star with his lone goal, and Wornig was third with his 46 saves.

The Spruce Kings are back in action this week as they play the Wenatchee Wild at home three times in four nights. Things will kick off Wednesday, and the two teams will have Thursday off before playing Friday and Saturday.