PK Lifts Spruce Kings Over Express in 6-3 Win

(Parker Colley kept his hot play going, scoring for the second time in as many nights, Photo by: Damon James Photography)

The penalty kill may have won the Prince George Spruce Kings the game on Friday night. There aren’t many occasions where a team has to kill eight penalties in a game, and emerges with a win, but thanks to killing seven of eight, the Spruce Kings were able to topple the Coquitlam Express. The power play was clicking as well for the team as it was two for three on the night.

Period one saw four goals, none of which would make the highlight reel, but after a tough one goal performance the night before, Prince George needed the three they earned. The first goal was on a rebound as Hunter Luhmann took the original shot, and Travis Schneider was able to knock in the loose puck over a sprawled Lawson Fenton. After getting into penalty trouble to start the game, the Spruce Kings would again head to kill. They were able to kill of the Express opportunity, as stepping out of the box, Parker Colley was able to go down for a breakaway. He was hauled down, and may have been sent to centre for his third penalty shot of the season, but instead beat Fenton through the legs. After that it was a rebound goal again as a one timer by Tyler Anderson was kicked out, and Hovde was there to lift the rebound in for the 3-0 lead with 5:45 left. With a minute left, Alex Ambrosio was able to grab a rebound off the back wall, and bank the puck in off of Tavin Grant to get Coquitlam within two.

In the second, it took over half a period, but Hovde scored a beauty to restore the three goal lead. Taking a feed from Schneider, Hovde went down the left wing, and shot the puck bar down for the 4-1 lead. Hovde would repay the favour four minutes later as Schneider was able to take a pass, and score his second of the night. The Express would again strike late though as a shot in the slot from Erik Udahl was tipped in by William Lawrence. All three goals in the second were on the power play.

Just 1:24 into the second, Coquitlam made the score 5-3 with Ryleigh Anderson the callup from the Aldergrove Kodiaks scoring to get his team back to a two goal deficit. Coquitlam continued to push looking for a goal, but Prince George did a great job of the dump and chase game killing more time off the clock. Finally to close out the game Sam De Melo was able to send a wrister past a screened Reid Cooper to cap the game at 5-3.

Two goals and an assist for Travis Schneider was good for third star, although the forward left the game in the third after being hit into the Coquitlam bench. Jarod Hovde had two goals and two assists for first star of the night. Tavin Grant made 32 of 35 save to record the win for his side giving him points in consecutive games for the first time in his BCHL career.