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GAME PREVIEW: November 26th vs Salmon Arm Silverbacks

Venue: Rolling Mix Concrete Arena

Game Time: Saturday November 26th @7pm

 

The Spruce Kings are on a roll. In the last four games they’ve outscored their opponents 26-7, and the biggest win came last night in an 8-0 win over the depleted Coquitlam Express.

Brett Mennear had four points which tied a career high set against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs earlier this year (also an 8-0 victory). The captain scored a hat-trick in the game which was his first in the BCHL, and put him two goals away from hitting 50 all-time. He was the first Spruce King this season to score a hatty. Jarod Hovde had a four point night, giving him nine points in the last two games against the Express. He scored the game winning goal in the first period on the power play. Other players with multi-point games were Adam Burnett (1G,1A), Kyle Johnson (1G,1A), Chong Lee (2A), Parker Colley (2G), and Jamie Huber (3A).

Salmon Arm is going the opposite direction, having lost their last four games. They had a 4-3 win last night against the Merritt Centennials, but had lost their previous four.

BROADCAST LINKS

WATCH on HockeyTV

LISTEN on Mixlr

STANDINGS:

Heading into last night’s contest, the Spruce Kings had a comfortable grasp on third place with a three point lead over the Surrey Eagles, and three games in hand. The win moved Prince George to a spot where they have some breathing room, and still have games in hand over the Eagles who are five back, and the Langley Rivermnen who are six behind. A win to follow things up would prove important as the two teams chasing them are facing each other tonight. That means there are a guaranteed two points being handed out, and the Spruce Kings will just have to hope it doesn’t go past regulation and turn to a three-point game/

Salmon Arm sits last in the Interior Division, and if they want to avoid getting knocked out with a Mainland wildcard, they will need to start picking up the points. Langley sits out of the Mainland picture with 23 points, but that has them two ahead of Salmon Arm, so as of now the Rivermen would cross over and bump the ‘Back out. Goals against haven’t been pretty for the team this year as they’ve allowed 121 in 27 games which is 2nd last in the league.

WHO TO WATCH:

PRINCE GEORGE:

Ethan de Jong – FWD: Getting a call from Canada West inviting him to tryout for the team going to the World Jr. A Challenge may have surprised de Jong, but you can bet it didn’t for the people around him. A solid player all season long, de Jong leads all 1999 born players with 19 points (more will be added following scoring corrections last night) and has one of the best hockey minds on the team.

Drew Lennon – DEF: There were a few stumbles last night, but look for Lennon to respond with a good game tonight. The Illinois boy has his family in for the weekend, and will aim to find the scoresheet again like he did last weekend returning to the lineup for the first time in over a month.

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Salmon Arm:

Josh Latta – FWD: Last season Latta was an affiliate player for the Prince George Spruce Kings, but elected to commit for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks this year. He had an assist last night ending a point drought dating back to September 24th, and now has three points on the year (has missed some time due to injury playing just 12 games). Fun Fact: Latta shares a birthday with Spruce Kings broadcaster Ryan Lepper.

Elijiah Barriga – FWD: Similar to Brett Mennear, Barriga is the heart to his team. He leads the team in goals (12), assists (18), and points (30). Last night in Merritt the sophmore forward ended a season high three game point drought by scoring and picking up an assist.

 

UPCOMING SCHEDULE:

Spruce Kings vs Chilliwack Chiefs – Thursday December 1st, 7pm – Rolling Mix Concrete Arena

Spruce Kings vs Victoria Grizzlies – Friday December 2nd, 7pm – Rolling Mix Concrete Arena

Spruce Kings vs Langley Rivermen – Thursday December 8th, 7pm – Rolling Mix Concrete Arena

 

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