(Photo Courtesy: Vicki Brown)
PRINCE GEORGE – The Prince George Spruce Kings wrapped up the weekend triple-header against the Trail Smoke Eaters by doubling them up on the scoreboard, winning 4-2 Sunday afternoon at Kopar Memorial Arena.
With the win, the Spruce Kings won the weekend series 2-1 as they defeated the Smoke Eaters 4-3 in overtime on Saturday. The Smoke Eaters won the first game of the series in PG on Friday, taking down the Spruce Kings 4-2.
Prince George leaps ahead of the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in the standings, ranking them in fourth place in the Interior Division standings with a record of 20-14-2-1. Meanwhile, the Smoke Eaters sit in eighth place with a record of 15-17-2-3.
Jordan Fairlie earned his 17th win of the season between the pipes for Prince George, stopping 27 shots of 29 fires by Trail. Teagan Kendrick allowed four goals Sunday afternoon as he was handed his 10th loss of the year.
For the second consecutive game, Owen Goodbrand opened the scoring in a similar fashion. Parked in the slot, the Spruce Kings’ forward put his stick in the lane and deflected a shot from a defenceman in past the Smoke Eaters goalie at 6:44 of the opening period. Amran Bhabra earned the lone assist.
Trail was able to respond at 8:06 when Connor Seeley scored his fourth goal of the season. Nicholas Remissong and Rhett Hamilton tallied assists on the play.
At the first intermission, the score sat tied 1-1.
In the second period, Ethan Mann was sprung on a breakaway as he found himself behind the Spruce Kings’ defence. Deking onto his backhand, Mann scored his seventh goal of the season. Adam Marshall and Evan Bushy helped out in setting up the breakaway to earn assists as the Smoke Eaters took the lead 2-1.
Past the midway mark of the middle period, Linden Makow tied the score up. The Spruce Kings forced a turnover in the neutral zone, leading to Makow coming along the left wing before he put the puck in past Kendrick. The goal snapped a 19-game scoreless drought for the winger as he scored his ninth of the season. John Herrington assisted the play.
49 seconds later, Jake Schneider pushed PG ahead as he scored his 16th of the season. Herrington and Kilian McGregor-Bennett assisted the play. Herrington’s second assist of the night put him in the team lead with 19. Herrington now leads the Spruce Kings in goals, assists, and points.
In the third period, Jack Stockfish took the puck past the blueline inside the first minute of the frame before sniping the puck top corner to extend the Spruce Kings lead 4-2. The goal was assisted by Amran Bhabra at 0:55.
The score would stand through the remaining time of the period as Prince George took two of the three games during the weekend against the Smoke Eaters.
GAME SUMMARY
Scoring
Spruce Kings: Goodbrand, Makow, Schneider, Stockfish
Smoke Eaters: Seeley, Mann
Goaltending
Spruce Kings: Jordan Fairlie (W) 60:00 (2 GA, 27 saves)
Smoke Eaters: Teagan Kendrick (L) 57:43 (4 GA, 31 saves)
Power-Play
Spruce Kings: 0/4 (0%)
Smoke Eaters: 0/2 (0%)
Shots
Spruce Kings: 35
Smoke Eaters: 29
Next Game: Friday, February 3 versus the Cranbrook Bucks at Western Financial Place in Cranbrook, BC.
