The Spruce Kings entered the weekend having lost all four prior games to the Langley Rivermen. They were outscored 21-3 in that time, including the most recent setback coming as a 7-1 loss in the second game back after the Christmas break. The last time the Rivermen came to Prince George, it was a 3-2 loss in last year’s playoffs, where Prince George won Game 6 to move onto the 2nd round.
In the three games he had played versus PG, Bo Didur had just two goals heading in on for the game on Thursday night. Prince George finally managed to beat the West Van native four times, although none of the goals were quite highlight reels. Two were head turners though, as PG scored twice in the first period by taking shots off the back boards that deflected, then bounced off Didur’s left heel and in.
Langley would leave the period though leading by one, as they got goals from Kaufman just 1:20 in, a goal from Angus Crookshank in his first ever BCHL shift, and a power play goal for Alec Capstick that beat Liam McCloskey on the power play for his first of the season.
The first three goals for the Langley Rivermen came in the first 10 minutes on six shots, so the Spruce Kings put Joseph McLeod in following the first BCHL ten minute timeout. The Kelowna native was strong in his second game coming on as a reliever vs the Rivermen, stopping 24 of 26 shots
In the second, it was Prince George taking control, as Connor Logan scored just 1:34 in on a wrap around for his fourth goal of the season tying the game at three. Langley would respond quickly though, as Jason O’Neill walked down the left side following a turnover, and roofed the puck top left corner to retake the Langley lead.
Turning Point: With under minutes left in the game, McLeod made a breakaway save that would keep his side within a goal.
Despite outshooting Langley 14-3 in the third, PG couldn’t beat Didur, and the game would head to overtime. The Spruce Kings again outshot Langley 6-2 in the first period of overtime, but neither team could score while 4-on-4. In the second frame while 3-on-3, Torrin White took a feed from Justin Fregona, and walked down on the breakaway to beat McLeod and take the 5-4 win.
Night two was similar heading into the third period, but Langley took over final frame to take a 5-2 win and clinch a playoff spot for the 4th consecutive year.
Langley would heavily outshoot the Spruce Kings 15-7 in the first period, but Joseph McLeod making his third start of the season would fend off everything the Rivermen fired on him. Nic Ponak who was named the Fortis Energy Player of the Game the night before would drop the gloves with John Schuldt in the first, and the two had a lengthy tilt with both sides landing hard hits before the linesmen separated the two. Both players would receive five for fighting, and a game misconduct.
Halfway through the second period, the first goal of the game would come as William Campion walked around a few Spruce Kings defenders, and roofed a backhand shot into the top right corner. With five minutes remaining, Adam Sinclair headed to the box for hooking, and the Spruce Kings had a chance to tie the game. Heading in they were 0 for 22 on the season against Langley, and it was the Rivermen doubling their lead, as Matthew Graham blocked a shot, and went the other way to score his third shorthanded goal of the year. Prince George earned two more quick penalties (starting with a four minute high sticking penalty) and wound up with a full two minutes of 5-on-3 to finish the second.
This time the power play would come up big, as Kyle Johnson on the right side took a pass from Cavin Tilsley, and was able to squeeze a shot under Trenciansky with 45 seconds left. 23 seconds later Adam Burnett took a point shot that was heading high, but got tipped in front by a Riverman player, and in to tie the game.
In the third Langley would quickly retake the two goal lead, as Torrin White and Donovan Shambeau scored 25 seconds apart five minutes in for the 4-2 lead. The dagger would come with five minutes left when Justin Fregona fed Matty Saharchuk backdoor who had half the net to shoot at.
Game Notes: With the weekend sweep, Langley clinched a playoff spot, so Coquitlam is the lone team Prince George can overtake now for a playoff position — In all six wins this season, Langley has yet to have a player score more than one goal in a single game — Nine of Prince George’s final 12 games will be played in the Prince George Coliseum — The matchup on Friday marked the first game for Prince George since the trade deadline where a game was decided by more than two goals—
