Spruce Kings Extend Streak to Seven Games with 6-3 Win

(Photo by: LG Photography)

The Spruce Kings had three streaks on the line Saturday night.

1. Six game point streak
2. Four game win streak
3. Three straight successful Subway Saturdays (scoring six games at home on a Saturday)

They kept all three alive against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks with a 6-3 win. After a tougher start the night before in a 8-0 win over Coquitlam, Chong Lee was put his team ahead 1:25 in. Jamie Huber dug a puck free from behind the net, and sent the puck out front for Lee. With two helpers the night before, Lee found the back of the net beating Trevin Kozlowski.

Aris Anagnostopoulos made his first start in the BCHL, but didn’t last for long as sliding to his right tweaked something in his leg, and was helped off the ice. Coming off a 27 save shutout the night before, Grant came in to finish the game. On the first power play of the game, Prince George converted with another quick goal from Adam Burnett. In a mirror image goal from the night prior, it took four second for the blueliner to find twine for the second night in a row. Brett Mennear won the draw, and Burnett faked a shot to give himself some room before burying a wrister past Kozlowski.

38 seconds into the middle frame the Spruce Kings looked to be running away as Tyler Anderson danced past a Salmon Arm defenseman, and scored his eighth goal of the season. That tied Connor McCarthy of the of the Chiefs for the lead in goals amongst blueliners.

That three goal lead didn’t last long though, with Carson Bolduc going the other way off the draw, and scoring six seconds after to get his team within two. 3:36 into the second, former Spruce Kings AP Josh Latta made it 3-2 as he beat Grant for the second time of the night. Jarod Hovde came to rescue for Prince George late, as Ethan de Jong passed him the puck out front and he was able to double the lead at 4-2. A late five-on-three for nearly the full two minutes gave Prince George a glorious chance for some insurance, but couldn’t capitalize.

Salmon Arm would kill off both penalties, and made Prince George pay in the third. Team leader Elijiah Barriga received a pass from Carson Bolduc, and beat Grant 5:04 in. The Silverbacks continued to push, but were unable to score. They pulled Kozlowski with 1:40 left, but Chong Lee was sprung by Brett Mennear, and down the right side he was able to bury his second empty-netter of the year.

An offensive faceoff with 30 seconds to go led to Salmon Arm pulling their goalie again hoping for a miracle, but it was Prince George capitalizing, and scoring goal number six to extend their Subway Saturday streak. Sprinting off the draw, Travis Schneider was able to scoop up the puck, and with his speed just let the puck slide into the awning cage.

Chong Lee’s two goals was good for third star, while Brett Mennear’s four helpers gave him the first star. The Spruce Kings captain had eight points in the two games over the week. Jarod Hovde’s GWG brought him to five on the season, tying him with Cam Donaldson of the Powell River Kings.

Prince George has some hearty competition this week as the Chilliwack Chiefs roll in Thursday looking for revenge after falling 4-1 in Prince George earlier this year. That’s followed up by the Island leading Victoria Grizzlies who’ve lost just five time in regulation this season.