Venue: Prospera Centre, Chilliwack
Game Time: Saturday February 4th 2017, 7pm
Earlier this season, the Prince George Spruce Kings (22-21-4-2) beat the Chilliwack Chiefs (34-10-5-0) for the first time in two years. Tonight they will aim to break a drought that dates back nearly three years. February 22nd 2014 is the last time the Spruce Kings beat the Chiefs in the Prospera Centre. Nine games have been played in that span, seven in the regular season, two in the playoffs. Justin Rai played the hero in double overtime for the PG win. The last regulation win for Prince George in the Prospera Centre against the Chiefs was the game before that, in a 3-0 shutout on the back of Jesse Jenks.
Picking up three of six points last week, the Spruce Kings already have four on this roadtrip. They started with a 9-0 thumping of the Surrey Eagles, and then carried a four goal first period last night against Langley to finish with a 5-2 win. The team has been getting scoring right through the week as nine players scored Thursday against Surrey, and five players scored goals in Langley.
There are a trio of goal streaks going tonight, as Brett Mennear leads the league with goals in four straight, while Keegan Ward and Ben Brar are right behind him with goals in the last three.
Tonight marks the fifth time these teams have met this season with all the games so far being played in the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena up in Prince George. The Spruce Kings won the first meeting 4-1, but the Chiefs have won the last three with one of those games going to overtime. Chilliwack squeaked out a tight 3-2 at the beginning of December, and then in a double header during January swept PG. The first game was 6-5 in overtime, and the following night was Chilliwack winning 5-2
2017 has been a good year for the Chiefs, as they have won 10 of their 11 games. The only setback came two weeks ago in a 6-2 loss to the Langley Rivermen. Chilliwack lost the special teams battle in that game going 0 for 4 on the powerplay, while giving Langley eight power plays where they scored twice. Prince George has been excellent this week on special teams scoring two goals in both of their games, and not allowing a goal in nine times down a man. In the last 14 games, Chilliwack has lost once.
BROADCAST LINKS
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STANDINGS:
Tonight PG can get a big weight off their chests with a win. Two points will lock in a playoff spot, or if Surrey who is playing in Wenatchee tonight loses, PG will also gain a berth that way. Langley is now seven points ahead of the Spruce Kings for third in the division, and take on the Salmon Arm Silverbacks who lost 6-3 last night agaisnt the Chiefs. The Rivermen also hold one game in hand. The two teams will play twice more this season with both games in the George Preston Arena.
A victory for Chilliwack for put them one point away from locking in a top three spot in the Mainland. They are five points out of first against the Wenatchee Wild who play the Surrey Eagles tonight. Beating Surrey 6-0 last night and outshooting them 43-16, a win seems likely for the Wild again which would be good for Prince George to lock up a playoff spot.
WHO TO WATCH:
PRINCE GEORGE:
Travis Schneider – FWD: His line was all over the ice last night, and they wound up drawing four penalties in the third period alone. Paired up with Parker Colley and Keegan Ward, Schneider and Colley have speed to burn while Ward can use his body to open up space for the pair. In four games this season against Chilliwack he has yet to hit the scoresheet, but with his speed, Schneider is always posed for a breakout game.
Adam Burnett – DEF: Giving Prince George their first lead of the game last night, Burnett ended a scoring drought for himself that had reached 20 games getting close to his career high of 23 last season. He now has points in two straight, and will aim to tie his season high of a three game point streak tonight.
CHILLIWACK:
Kale Kane – FWD: He missed the first two games against Prince George this season, but made sure to make himself noticed in the final two matches. The first game he was hands down the best player on either side with two goals and two assists including the game winning goal in overtime. The Spruce Kings need to shut him down tonight if theyhope to pickup a win.
Jordan Kawaguchi – FWD: He hasn’t appeared as dominant against Prince George this year, but the “Guch” is still clicking at a point per game pace. In four games against the Spruce Kings he has two goals and two assists. The most recent game, a 5-2 Chiefs win, was his best performance with a goal and assist.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
Spruce Kings vs West Kelowna Warriors – Thursday February 9th, 7pm – Rolling Mix Concrete Arena
Spruce Kings @ Surrey Eagles – Saturday February 11th, 6:30pm – South Surrey Arena
Spruce Kings @ Surrey Eagles – Sunday February 12th, 4:00pm – South Surrey Arena
