PHOTO: Vicki Brown
Tonight, at the Chilliwack Coliseum, the Prince George Spruce Kings take to the ice for their second and final game at the BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack, as they take on the undefeated Victoria Grizzlies at 7:30 PM. The Spruce Kings are coming off a 4-1 victory over the Wenatchee Wild on yesterday afternoon at the Chilliwack Coliseum. Ben LeFranc scored twice for PG, earning first star honours and the BCHL’s Showcase Player of the Day award.
PRINCE GEORGE SPRUCE KINGS
OVERVIEW
2021-22 Record: 4-1-0-0
Head Coach: Alex Evin
2021-22 Road Record 2-1-0-0
Last Game: A 4-1 victory over the Wenatchee Wild yesterday afternoon.
Goals For/Goals Against: 26/12 (+14)
Power-Play: 38.1% (2nd in BCHL)
Penalty-Kill: 76.5% (12th in BCHL)
Leading Scorers: Nick Rhéaume (5 GP 3 G, 6 A, 9 PTS), John Herrington (5 GP, 5 G, 4 A, 9 PTS), Kilian McGregor-Bennett (5 GP 1 G, 6 A, 7 PTS)
BENNY AND THE JETS
Ben LeFranc has been a scoring machine in the last two contests heading into tonight against Victoria. The ’03 defender from Penticton has found the back of the net three times in the last two games. LeFranc was also named yesterday’s first star against Wenatchee and was named the BCHL Showcase Player of the Day.
IDENTITY LINE
The line of Kilian McGregor-Bennett, Kolton Cousins, and John Herrington has been incredibly productive five games into the season. The line has found the back of the net in all five games thus far. The three returning forward have combined for nine goals already in the 2021-22 season.
Spruce Kings Facts:
–The Spruce Kings are 3-3 against Victoria in the last 5 seasons
– The last time these teams met was in October of 2019 in Victoria (PG won 3-2. Jett Alexander was the winning goaltender)
-John Herrington and Nick Rhéaume lead the Spruce Kings in points with 9 a piece.
-The Spruce Kings lead the BCHL in goals for with 26.
VICTORIA GRIZZLIES
OVERVIEW
2021-22 Regular Season Record: 5-0-0-0
Head Coach: Craig Didmon
2021-22 Road Record: 3-0-0-0
Last Game: An 7-3 victory over the Cowichan Valley Capitals on October 16th
Goals For/Goals Against: 24/9 (+15)
Power-Play: 23.5% (5th in BCHL)
Penalty-Kill: 83.3% (8th in BCHL)
Leading Scorers: Connor Eddy (5 GP 4 G, 10 A, 14 PTS), Matthew Wood (5 GP, 8 G, 5 A, 13 PTS), Clark Hiebert (5 GP, 2 G, 4 A, 6 PTS)
THE TOP LINE
The Victoria Grizzlies top line possesses the two top scorers in the BC Hockey League in Connor Eddy and Matthew Wood who have already combined for 27 points in just five games. The 16-year-old Wood currently sits with eight goals and five assists in just five games, while Eddy has four goals and ten assists in those five games. This line also has Ellis Rickwood who has four points in three games. Rickwood led all BCHL scoring in the 2021 pod season, finishing with 30 points in 20 games.
Victoria Grizzlies Facts:
–The Grizzlies have yet to lose this season
– The Grizzlies sit with the 2nd most Goals for in the BCHL (24)
-16 year old Matthew Wood has three power-play goals this season (T-1st in BCHL)
