PHOTO: Vicki Brown
Tonight, at the Trail Memorial Centre, the Prince George Spruce Kings look for their fifth straight victory as they take on the Trail Smoke Eaters in the first of three meetings this weekend. Tonight, marks the third time these teams meet so far in the 2021-22 season. The Spruce Kings are coming off a 6-2 win on home ice against the Penticton Vees. Simon Labelle, Nick Rhéaume (2), Nathan Fox, Kolton Cousins, and Rowan Miller tallied for PG, while Aaron Trotter got the win in goal, making 23 saves.
PRINCE GEORGE SPRUCE KINGS
OVERVIEW
Head Coach: Alex Evin
2021-22 Record: 18-9-2-1
2021-22 Road Record: 8-5-1-1
2021-22 Record vs. Trail: 1-1-0-0
Last Game: A 6-2 win over Penticton at the RMCA on Wednesday night
Goals For/Goals Against: 104 GF/66 GA
Power-Play: 26% (6th)
Penalty-Kill: 82.8% (5th)
Leading Scorers: John Herrington (30GP – 17G – 19A – 36PTS) Nick Rhéaume (29GP – 16G – 15A – 31PTS) Simon Labelle (30GP – 8G – 22A – 30PTS)
IMMEDIATE IMPACT
The line of Nick Rheaume, Simon Labelle, and Rowan Miller had a massive night on Wednesday against Penticton. The Spruce Kings trio combined for eight points in the 6-2 victory over Penticton. Both Miller and Rhéaume had three-point nights, while Labelle also tallied a goal and a helper. Labelle now has three points in his last two contests.
SPRUCE KINGS NOTES
-Luc Laylin has 13 points in 13 games as a Spruce King
-10 different Spruce Kings have recorded at least one game winning goal this season
-Simon Labelle is T-7th in assists in the BCHL (23)
-The Spruce Kings have gotten points in their last four road games
TRAIL SMOKE EATERS
OVERVIEW:
Head Coach: Tim Fragle
2021-22 Record: 13-13-1-1
2021-22 Home Record: 9-6-0-0
2021-22 Record vs. PG: 2-1-0-0
Last Game: A 2-1 shootout defeat to the Vernon Vipers on Wednesday Night
Goals For/Goals Against: 97 GF /101 GA
Power-Play: 24.3% (7th)
Penalty-Kill: 80% (9th)
Leading Scorers: Brady Hunter (26GP – 11G -21A -32PTS) Zach Michaelis (26GP -18G -12A- 30PTS) Teddy Lagerback (28GP – 15G – 11A – 26PTS)
MAKIN’ MOVES
Head Coach and General Manager Tim Fragle and his staff were relatively busy around the trade deadline making some notable acquisitions including, F Nick Remissong (Merritt), D Joshua Orrico (Chilliwack), D Kabore Dunn (Maine NCAA), and G Cole Tisdale (Prince Albert WHL). Remmisong, Orrico, and Dunn have combined for 5 points since being acquired. Tisdale has been in between the pipes once thus far this season, and posts a 1.39 GAA and a .938 save percentage in just over 43 minutes played.
SMOKE EATERS NOTES:
-Goaltender Evan Fradette leads the BCHL in minutes played and saves (1433 Minutes, 814 Saves)
– The Smoke Eaters are 3-1 in overtime this season
-Trail posts a 8-4 record when they score the first goal
-The Smoke Eaters are 17/62 on the power-play on home ice this season (3rd best in BCHL)
