PHOTO: Vicki Brown
Tonight, at the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena, the Prince George Spruce Kings continue their three game home-stand as they take on the Merritt Centennials for the fifth time in the season series at 7:00 PM. The Spruce Kings are coming off a 3-1 victory over the West Kelowna Warriors on Wednesday night. Dylan Schives had the game winning goal, John Herrington scored twice, and Jordan Fairlie got the win in goal making 34 saves.
MERRITT CENTENNIALS
OVERVIEW
Head Coach: Curtis Toneff
2021-22 Record: 2-23-1-0
2021-22 Away Record: 0-13-0-0
2021-22 Record vs. PG: 0-4-0-0
Last Game: A 9-1 defeat last night against the Vernon Vipers
Goals For/Goals Against: 48 GF/157 GA (-109)
Power-Play: 10.4 (18th)
Penalty-Kill: 66% (18th)
Leading Scorers: Levi Carter (26GP – 3G – 10A- 13PTS) Jacob Dewitt (24GP – 2G – 6A – 8PTS) Jacksenn Hungle (18GP – 3G – 6A – 9PTS)
A NEW FACE
The Centennials have hired a new man behind the bench in Curtis Toneff. Toneff, from Nanaimo BC is no stranger to the BCHL. Toneff served as an assistant coach for the Trail Smoke Eaters from 2015-17. Prior to his tenure in Merritt, Toneff was an assistant coach with the Humboldt Broncos from 2019-2021.
CENTENNIALS NOTES:
– The Centennials are 2-1-1 in one goal games this season
-Ben Ward leads all Centennials in goals with 6
PRINCE GEORGE SPRUCE KINGS
OVERVIEW
Head Coach: Alex Evin
2021-22 Season Record: 16-9-2-1
2021-22 Home Record: 8-4-1-0
2021-22 Record vs. MER: 4-0-0-0
Last Game: A 3-1 victory on Wednesday night against the West Kelowna Warriors
Goals For/Goals Against: 93 GF/ 63 GA (+30)
Power-Play: 27.8% (4th)
Penalty-Kill: 82.4% (5th)
Leading Scorers: John Herrington (28GP – 16G – 18A – 34PTS) Nick Rhéaume (27GP – 14G -14A – 28PTS) Simon Labelle (28GP – 7G – 20A – 27PTS)
SPRUCE DEBUTS
Tonight will mark the Spruce Kings debut’s for both Adam Leitch and Luke German. Leitch, 17, a 6’1 defender from Maple Ridge has suited up in 4 BCHL games this season with Victoria and recorded one assist in those contests. German, 19, was acquired at the trade deadline from the Camrose Kodiaks. In 33 contests with the Kodiaks, German recorded 15 points. Leitch will be wearing #4 for Prince George and German will be wearing #24.
SPRUCE KINGS NOTES:
-Luc Laylin has recorded 11 points in 11 games as a Spruce King
-The Spruce Kings have collected points in five straight games
-10 different Spruce Kings have had at least one game winning goal this season
-Dylan Schives has three points in his last two games
