When: September 7th, @ 7:05
Where: Town Toyota Center, Wenatchee
Prince George came close to the Wenatchee Wild last night, but it was the special teams that killed them. The Wild scored on two of their five powerplays, but the dagger was a short handed goal early in the third period to give the home team a two goal advantage when a Spruce Kings tally would have tied the game.
The crowd in the Town Toyota Center was smaller than the Spruce Kings (3-6-0-1) have seen in the past, but things should be thumping Saturday night as the team hosts their diapers and underwear night. Fans are asked to bring either item (ideally clean) in plastic bags and throw them onto the ice when the Wild (7-0-1-0) score their first goal.
STANDINGS:
Last night was not good for Prince George in the standings, as the worst possible came out of the Langley/Coquitlam game. The Rivermen were leading 3-0 in the third, but the Express would eventually come back to tie things up, and win the game 5-4 in overtime. Heading in, Coquitlam was tied with Langley in points and with the win are two points ahead of Prince George, and now have sole possession of third place in the division. With the point, Langley creeped closer to the Spruce Kings in the standings, and are now just one point back. The two teams play again tonight in Langley. Surrey won their game in overtime, now sitting two points behind Prince George, and play the Salmon Arm Silverbacks tonight who have struggled so far this season, but are coming off an impressive 5-3 win over West Kelowna last night.
STREAKS:
A few streaks for both teams died last night. Brett Menenar didn’t record a point, and that silenced the five game point streak he had going with nine points in that time. The Spruce Kings also lost their season high winning streak which sat at two games. Prince George never had more than two wins in a row last season. For the Wild, Dakota Raabe had his six game scoring streak halted. He likely could have continued it on the tying goal last night, but elected to pass from the slot to the side of the net where Burston had a wide open cage to score on.
Streaks that did stay alive were those of Brendan Harris and Charlie Combs who have yet to avoid the scoresheet this season. Combs had a goal and an assist, while Harris had an assist on short handed goal. It was just the second time in eight games this year Harris has been held to a single point.
WHO TO WATCH:
One player that has seen his play improve leaps and bounds from the beginning of the season is Sam De Melo. At one point a healthy scratch, De Melo is now a staple on the penalty kill, and leads the team in blocked shots. The Wild are fantastic at shot blocking, and De Melo can help give them a taste of their own medicine. He is also in search of his first BCHL goal, so that is the offensive stat to look for.
Simply put, Dakota Raabe loves playing the Prince George Spruce Kings. The forward from Capistrano Beach, California has eleven points in eleven games against the Kings, including three power play goals and a short handed goal coming earlier this year. His goal scoring streak was snapped last night, and he will want to find mesh tonight for revenge.
SCHEDULE AHEAD:
Spruce Kings vs Alberni Valley – Friday October 14th, 7pm – Rolling Mix Concrete Arena
Spruce Kings vs Powell River Kings – Sunday October 16th, 3pm – Rolling Mix Concrete Arena
Spruce Kings vs Chilliwack Chiefs – Thursday Ocrtober 20th, 7pm – Rolling Mix Concrete Arena
