Rivermen Earn First Regulation Win Against Spruce Kings

Sweeping the season series last season, the Rivermen hadn’t been very hot against Prince George heading into Monday’s contest. The had suffered four losses, with two coming in overtime, and their lone victory came beyond regulation. The latest game was the Spruce Kings debut in the newly redone George Preston Arena where they won 5-2. Langley would finally pickup a regulation win on the heels of great goaltending in a 4-0 decision to end a three game losing streak.

The last time these two teams met, Langley scored first, but Prince George was able to reply with four goals in the first period. The Rivermen would score first once again, but were able to hold the fort against the Spruce Kings. Goalless in his first four games against PG, Barrow was able to pickup the puck behind the goal after Spencer Berry intentionally shot wide, and wrapped it around for the 1-0 lead at 13:52.

In the second, the Rivermen had just four shots, but were able to score on half of them. Satchel Clendenin stole the puck in his own slot, and went all the way up the ice beating Anagnostopoulos off the left wing. As that goal was being announced, McKay Flanagan took the puck at the top of the right circle, and dragged past the Spruce King forward before sniping a shot into the top right corner to make it 3-0 at 13:51. Prince George had a chance a few minutes before the two goals two tie the game, but Jarod Hovde sent his wrister off the crossbar.

Prince George outshot Langley 11-6 in the third, but couldn’t break Braeden Fleming who was making his first start against Prince George. He came up clutch with the glove a number of times stopping Parker Colley on a rush from the left wing, and then turning the windmill to rob Ethan O’Rourke on a rebound from the original Brett Mennear shot. Max Kaufmann who had 49 points in 43 games entering the game had none in the previous five against Prince George, but ended that drought with a goal into the empty net for the 4-0 score.

Prince George will get a short break at home, but will begin another roadtrip on Friday starting with the Coquitlam Express. That will be followed up Saturday against the Langley Rivermen, and conclude on Sunday against Chilliwack.