PHOTO: James Doyle
PRINCE GEORGE BC – The Spruce Kings solved Kaeden Lane three times, including goals from Ben LeFranc, Simon Labelle, and Luc Laylin, but a late second period goal from Josh Niedermayer and a third period goal from Adam Eisele was the difference as the Penticton Vees soared to a 5-3 victory, and taking a 3-0 series lead.
1st PERIOD:
PEN: Just under four minutes into the game on a Vees power-play, it was a terrific play set up by Brett Moravec, who found Luc Wilson, who then spotted Casey McDonald at the left side of the goal, and one touched it by Aaron Trotter to give the Vees an early lead. McDonald’s third of the playoffs was assisted by Wilson and Moravec at 3:43.
PG: The Spruce Kings were able to find the equalizer from Ben LeFranc just passed the midway point of the opening stanza. A point shot from the right point found its way through the screen and through Kaeden Lane to tie the game. LeFranc’s first of the playoffs was assisted by Luc Laylin and Kolton Cousins at 11:36
SHOTS:
PEN 11 PG 11
2nd PERIOD:
PEN: In a very fast paced period, the Vees were able to take the lead, courtesy of Thomas Pichette. The puck slipped its way to Pichette at the left side of the goal and slid it by Trotter. Pichette’s first of the playoffs was assisted by Luc Wilson and Jackson Nieuwendyk at 13:53.
PG: Less than two minutes later on a Spruce Kings power-play, Simon Labelle raced up the right wing and registered a shot that was stopped by Lane, but Labelle got his own rebound and came through to tie the game. Labelle’s fifth of the playoffs was assisted by Josh Wright and Luc Laylin at 15:28.
PEN: Four minutes later, the Spruce Kings were unable to exit their own zone, and the puck found Josh Niedermayer at the left circle and wired a wrist shot top corner on Trotter to re-store the Vees lead. Niedermayer’s first of the playoffs was assisted by Jackson Nieuwendyk and Luc Wilson at 19:28.
SHOTS:
PG 11 PEN 11
3rd PERIOD:
PEN: Spruce King defenceman Ben LeFranc tried to push the puck out of his own zone, but the backhand attempted turned to get shot passed Aaron Trotter and in the Spruce King net to make it 4-2. Adam Eisele got credited with the goal, coming unassisted at 8:09.
PG: After a Spruce Kings timeout, they had a 6 on 4 power-play and were able to connect. Nick Rheaume was able to find Luc Laylin all alone at the left circle and hammer a one timer by Lane to get Prince George within one. Laylin’s playoff team leading seventh of the playoffs was assisted by Rhéaume and John Herrington at 16:11.
PEN: Josh Nadeau was able to retrieve the puck and his own blue and deposit the puck the length of the ice and into the empty net to solidify the victory for Penticton. Nadeau’s sixth of the playoffs was unassisted at 19:18.
SHOTS:
PEN 10 PG 13
FINAL SCORE:
PEN 5 PG 3 (PEN leads series 3-0)
FINAL SHOTS:
PEN 32 PG 35
POWER-PLAYS:
PEN 2-3 PG 1-2
3 STARS:
1.PEN: Luc Wilson (3 A)
2.PG: Simon Labelle (1G)
3.PEN: Casey McDonald (1G)
FORTIS BC ENERGY PLAYER OF THE GAME:
PG: Nathan Fox
NEXT GAME:
The Spruce Kings will look to keep their season alive tomorrow night at the RMCA. Puck drop is slated for 7:00 PM and you can grab your tickets HERE
