PRINCE GEORGE BC – The Spruce Kings got an early 3rd period tally from Corey Cunningam to keep the game close but, two PP markers late was the dagger as the Surrey Eagles defeated the Spruce Kings 4-1 on a Saturday night at the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena.
In the opening period, the Spruce Kings got an early 4-minute power-play, however, they were only able to muster one shot towards goaltender Reece Klassen and the Eagles were able to kill off the penalty. Surrey would then eventually start the scoring as Brandon Santa Juana netted home his 10th of the season off a feed from Carter King. Kenny Riddett was credited with the secondary assist. That tally came at 15:37 of the first.
In the second, it took the Eagles just 40 seconds to get their second of the night. Owen Nolan got the puck on the backdoor and put it past the blocker side of Jett Alexander to make it a 2-0 Eagles lead. Tempers flared 7 minutes later in front of the Eagles bench as Andrew Seaman and Kenny Riddett exchanged pleasantries which led to a big scrum and also a fight broke out between two big customers in Wil Kushniryk and Cade Alami. The Eagles held on to their 2-0 lead after two periods.
In the third, there was finally some life from the Spruce Kings. A good rush up the ice by the captain Nolan Welsh followed by a shot stopped by Klassen, but Corey Cunningham was there on the rebound and deposited the puck past Klassen to cut the lead in half and make it 2-1. The Cunningham marker came just 53 seconds into the third.
The Eagles would then go their first power-play of the evening and they made no mistake. Forward and captain Hudson Schandor rifled a shot off the post and in past Alexander to make it 3-1. That one came at 7:32 and Brendan Kim and Brandon Santa Juana were credited with the helpers. Not even three minutes later, back to the power-play went Surrey and they scored again. Gabe Schovanek put the puck past Alexander for his 8th of the season. Christophe Tellier and Kim got the assists at 10:27 of the third. Another fight happened as Carter Cochrane and Buddy Johnson dropped the gloves for a spirited affair. Nevertheless, it was the Eagles who skated to a 4-1 victory over Prince George. Saturday night’s game marks the final time Surrey will be in PG in the regular season, and they were able to get 4 wins in the BC Northern Capital.
The Spruce Kings are back in action and will look to win their 4th straight road game as they take on the Salmon Arm Silverbacks at the Shaw Centre in Salmon Arm. You can catch the action live on the Spruce Kings Hockey Network at mixlr.com or you can watch on HockeyTV.
3 STARS
- Brandon Santa Juana (SUR)
- Brendan Kim (SUR)
- Reece Klassen (SUR)
FORTIS ENERGY PLAYER OF THE GAME: Hudson Schandor (SUR)
