Venue: South Okanagan Events Centre
Game Time: Saturday November 5th @6pm
The Prince George Spruce Kings will aim to avoid a season sweep tonight as they take on the Penticton Vees. Prince George has suffered nine losses this year, and two of those have come at the hands of the Vees.
The first meeting was a 4-0 decision for Penticton in their season opener taking place at the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena. Prince George held it’s ground in the first period, but a fortunate bounce led to a Ty Amonte goal in the second. The Vees would add three more in the third to seal the deal.
Round two was a lot tighter as the Vees rolled out of the BCHL Bauer Showcase with a 3-2 win. Jacob Kamps (now with the Brooks Bandits) scored his first goal in the BCHL, but that was answered by a buzzer beater from Jamie Huber to tie the game at one heading to the second. The Vees scored twice in the middle frame, and Mennear would score the first shorthanded goal of the season for Prince George to make the score 3-2. Penticton was able to shut the Spruce Kings down for the remainder of the game to keep their perfect streak alive at the BCHL Showcase.
Prince George suffered a heartbreaking loss last night as they led the Trail Smoke Eaters 4-1 halfway through the game, but wound up surrendering four unanswered goals to fall 5-4 in regulation. The Vees meanwhile had a strong win Friday picking up a 4-1 decision over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
BROADCAST LINKS
WATCH on HockeyTV
LISTEN on Mixlr
STANDINGS:
As has been the case since the beginning of time, Penticton is dominating the Interior Division with just three losses all season long. They have an eleven point lead on the Trail Smoke Eaters, and are once again looking to bulldoze their way to a division title.
With most other teams in the Mainland winning last night, Prince George did lose some ground. A Langley win moved them to within two points of the Spruce Kings, while PG does hold a game in hand. Chilliwack and Wenatchee also both won moving them further ahead of Prince George for the number one and two spots. It looks like those two teams will be the runaways in the Mainland while the other four teams fight for the final two playoff spots and potential wildcard over the Interior.
WHO TO WATCH:
PRINCE GEORGE:
Hunter Luhmann – FWD: After going pointless in his first five games, Luhmann was found his offensive stride with nine points in his last 11 games. He didn’t grab a point last night against Trail but did look dangerous through the night.
Chong Lee – FWD: After a struggle to start the season, Chong Lee seems to have found his offensive stride. With four goals in his last five games, Lee is getting more time on the PP, and proving to the coaches he deserves to stay there.
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Penticton Vees
Ty Amonte – FWD: The Spruce Kings killer this season has been Ty Amonte. Son of former NHLer Tony Amonte, Ty was involved in all four Vees goals the first meeting with two goals and two assists. The second game had Amonte picking up one helper, but had numerous opportunities for more. Headed to Boston University next year, Amonte has struggled to find the scoresheet in the past two weeks with just one goal in the last seven games.
Ryley Risling- FWD:
Ryley Risling has been no slouch either with two goals and two helpers in a pair of matches with Prince George. His four points against the Spruce Kings are a third of his season’s total. Like Amonte he has been on a bit of a slow streak lately with one point in his last seven games
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
Spruce Kings @ West Kelowna Warriors – Sunday November 6th 2:30pm – Royal LePage Place
Spruce Kings @ Surrey Eagle – Thursday November 10th, 6:30pm – South Surrey Arena
Spruce Kings @ Coquitlam Express – Friday November 11th, 7pm – Poirier Sports and Leisure Centre
