PHOTO: James Doyle
Tonight, at the RMCA, the Prince George Spruce Kings and Cranbrook Bucks continue their first round series in the Shaw BCHL Playoffs at 7:00 PM. Last night, the Spruce Kings secured a 4-1 victory and subsequently have a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Simon Labelle, Nick Marciano, Ty Gagno, and Luc Laylin scored in Game 1, while Aaron Trotter made 26 saves in the victory, and earned first star honours.
CRANBROOK BUCKS
OVERVIEW
Head Coach: Ryan Donald
Record: 0-1
Goals For/Goals Against: 1 GF/4 GA
Power-Play: 0/4
Penalty-Kill: 5/7
Leading Scorers: Zeth Kindrachuk (1GP – 1G – 0A – 1PT), Brendan Rogers (1GP – 0G – 1A – 1PT) Declan Ride (1GP – 0G – 1A – 1PT)
ZETH STRIKES
Cranbrook’s lone goal last night in Game 1 came off the stick of 2002-born forward Zeth Kindrachuk. From Calgary, AB, Kindrachuk played in 36 games this regular season season, posting two goals and five assists for seven points.
ROUGH STUFF
In the opening frame in last night’s game, Cranbrook forward Noah Quinn received a five-minute major penalty and game misconduct for Goaltender Interference, after barreling into Aaron Trotter. In the third period, Bucks forward Liam Hansson was assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct for a blow to the head after running into Spruce Kings forward Luke German to the left of the Spruce Kings bench. All major penalties are subject to review by the BCHL Department of Player Safety.
PRINCE GEORGE SPRUCE KINGS
OVERVIEW
Head Coach: Alex Evin
Regular Season Record: 1-0
Goals For/Goals Against: 4 GF / 1 GA
Power-Play: 2/7
Penalty-Kill: 4/4
Leading Scorers: Ty Gagno (1GP – 1G – 1A – 2PTS) Nick Marciano (1GP – 1G – 1A – 2PTS) Simon Labelle (1GP – 1G – 1A – 2 PTS)
TY-RIFFIC
Ty Gagno played a big part in the Spruce Kings 4-1 victory over the Cranbrook Bucks in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series last night. The 2003-born product out of Langley posted a power-play goal and an assist for two points on the evening. Gagno’s first of the playoffs came in the latter half of the second period to make the game 3-0 on the power-play. Gagno now has two points in his last four games dating back to the regular season. Gagno finished the 2021-22 season with nine goals and nine helpers for 18 points in 52 games played.
IN THE PIPES
2001-born goaltender Aaron Trotter got the nod in Game 1 and was no short of terrific, turning aside 26 of 27 shots Cranbrook fired his way. Trotter was a factor for the Spruce Kings last night, particularly in the second period when the game was in the reach for the Cranbrook Bucks. Last night’s victory marks the University Of St. Thomas commit’s first BCHL playoff win, and assuming he gets the nod tonight for Game 2, he will look to put forth a similar effort. During the 2021-22 season, Trotter was 20-11-5 with a 2.24 goals-against-average and a .914 save percentage.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
IT’S THE PLAYOFFS!!
Before you head to the game this evening, please be advised of the following operational, health, and safety protocols currently in place at the RMCA.
VACCINE PASSPORT AND ID: Make sure to present your vaccine passport and ID at the front glass doors upon arrival to the RMCA.
There are still great seats available, you can secure your seats at the Spruce Kings Office (open from 9-4), or you can grab your seats HERE
Tonight’s 50/50 is LIVE! You can get your tickets NOW
19+ Know your limit, play within it
Tonight, there will be another mega Chuck-A-Puck at the 2nd Intermission! If you can land your puck on the centre ice dot and keep it there, you will win $1750! Make sure to grab your pucks at the top of section 2.
The beer garden at the RMCA is OPEN ALL PLAYOFFS! Drink prices start at $7.00.
