Venue: The Q Centre
Game Time: Sunday December 18th @ 2pm
The Spruce Kings are looking to end a seven game losing streak to the Victoria on Sunday. The latest setback was a 4-1 loss in Prince George just two weeks ago. Tyler Anderson had the lone goal for Prince George while Tyler Welsh had a pair of goals and one helper to lead his squad. One positive is the lone goal for the Spruce Kings came on the power play, which is a rarity against the Grizzlies who rank 2nd in the lead on the PK.
Last year in Victoria, Prince George fell 7-3. It was a tight 3-2 game heading to the final frame. None of the goal scorers remain from that game as Jake LeBrun had a pair, and Bryan Basilico scored the other which wound up being the first SHG Prince George had last season. LeBrun now plays for UBC, while Basilico is at Lake Superior State.
Prince George is coming off a 4-2 loss last night that saw them outshoot the Cowichan Valley Capitals, but a pair of unlucky goals capped the Capitals scoring and let them squeak out with the victory.
Victoria and Prince George are the only two teams in the BCHL not to allow an empty net goal this season.
BROADCAST LINKS
WATCH on HockeyTV
LISTEN on Mixlr
STANDINGS:
A loss last night, and a Rivermen win let Langley move back to 3rd in the Mainland division. Sitting in 4th, Prince George does have two games in hand over Langley, and a win today would certainly help in the standings.
Victoria sits way above in the Island as they are eight points ahead of the Powell River Kings and also have three games in hand. The Grizzlies have seen 10 of their 35 games go to overtime this season. Prince George has not won a regular season overtime in the last 16 tries.
WHO TO WATCH:
PRINCE GEORGE:
Tavin Grant – G: His work load has been intense lately, playing in the last 12 games. Last night agaisnt the Cowichan Valley Capitals, the last two goals allowed were both ones Grant would like back. One was a turnover from behind the net, and the other was a flukey bounce that went between his legs as he came out of his net to play the puck.
Tyler Anderson – DEF: He scored in the last game agaisnt the Victoria, and had a goal last night against the Capitals. Anderson has been one the most steady players lately with 17 points in his last 17 games.
VICTORIA:
Tyler Welsh – FWD: In Prince George, Welsh was able to score two of his team leading 17 goals. Last year in Victoria he swapped his stats around scoring once, and adding two assists. Following a six game point drought, Welsh now has four points in his last three games.
Jake Stevens – DEF: Last time Prince George visited, Victoria, Stevens blasted them with two goals to go along with two assists. Committed to St.Lawrence University, Stevens has been a force on defense this season sitting second in scoring amongst blueliners with 37 points in 35 games just one behind the league leader Cameron Ginnetti of the Langley Rivermen.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
Spruce Kings vs Langley Rivermen – Thursday December 29th, 7pm – Rolling Mix Concrete Arena
Spruce Kings vs Langley Rivermen – Friday December 30th, 7pm – Rolling Mix Concrete Arena
Spruce Kings @ Alberni Valley Bulldogs – Friday January 6th, 7:15pm – Hap Parker Arena
