When: Saturday October 22nd, 2016 @7pm
Where: Rolling Mix Concrete Arena
Last year the only competition these two teams had going up against one another was who could stay out of the BCHL dungeon. Prince George wound up going 4-2-0-1 against the Eagles, and outscored them 31-18 in the seven games. Prince George finished 2nd last in the league with 34 points while the Eagles had just seven wins, and ended their season with 17 points. The Spruce Kings had plus/minus in goals against of -107 in 58 games, and Surrey was -169. Needless to say both teams struggled.
Fast forward to this season, and both groups are hungry to avoid repeats of last year. Prince George is currently third in the division, and Surrey is in last place, but that’s just one point behind the Spruce Kings as the three to six spots in the Mainland are separated by just a single point.
Both sides are coming off big wins on Thursday night, as they toppled the top teams in the division. The Spruce Kings finished with an empty netter to defeat the Chilliwack Chiefs 4-1 who were coming off a long day of travel following a 3-2 OTL to Vernon the night before. Surrey meanwhile lit up Wenatchee enroute to handing the Wild their first regulation loss of the season in a 6-1 decision.
At home, the Spruce Kings have won four of their last five, and the lone loss was in the 1-0 loss to the Powell Kings were PG outshot the visitors 51-21.
STANDINGS:
With a win last night over the Wenatchee Wild, the Coquitlam Express have vaulted two points over the Langley Rivermen and Prince George Spruce Kings for third in the Mainland division. The Spruce Kings have a pair of games in hand over both teams making next week’s doubleheader with Coquitlam even more important.
Surrey sits one point behind Prince George and Langley, while the Eagles have games in hand over both squads. Despite being last in the division, the Eagles have a better goals for/against differential than the three teams above them.
STREAKS:
The Spruce Kings have won four of their five five games in the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena.
Darius Davidson from the Eagles is on a league high nine game streak with at least a point.
WHO TO WATCH:
PRINCE GEORGE:
Ben Poisson – FWD: As one of the best forwards early on, the other forwards seem to have caught up, and that has reduced the minutes for the youngest Spruce King. He had three points in his first eight games, but hasn’t hit the score sheet in the last six. Wednesday against the Chiefs he looked really good earning a few good scoring chances.
Adam Burnett – DEF: With Anderson and Russell both scoring twice last week, Wednesday was Burnett’s turn to find the mesh, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. The big defenseman scored with just under three minutes left in the third to give Prince George a 3-1 lead and some great insurance.
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Surrey Eagles
Darius Davidson – FWD: Nearly a point-per-game player last year with the Eagles, Davidson was traded to Penticton, and surprisingly saw his production plummet to five points in 21 games. He’s now back with his hometown team, and hot as ever with 14 point in 13 games, and 13 in his last nine games.
Nick Minerva- DEF: It’s tough not to look at Minerva as a huge reason for the Eagles turnaround this season. He has two helpers against the Wild Wednesday, and is 2nd in scoring for blueliners with 14 points in 13 games.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE:
Spruce Kings vs Surrey Eagles – Sunday October 23rd, 3pm – Rolling Mix Concrete Arena
Spruce Kings vs Coquitlam Express – Friday October 28th, 7pm – Rolling Mix Concrete Arena
Spruce Kings vs Coquitlam Express – Saturday October 29th, 7pm – Rolling Mix Concrete Arena
