POWELL RIVER, BC – The Prince George Spruce Kings took a 4-2 lead early in the third period but the Powell River Kings roared back with three including the game winner with just 19.8 seconds remaining as the Spruce Kings fall 5-4.
Ryan Wachtel opened the scoring just 37 seconds into the game as he beat Filip Vavro from the right side, as Charlie Spencer found him streaking towards the goal. Cooper Faughnan picked up the second assist.
The Powell River Kings would finally get on the board at 9:52 for their first goal of the BCHL season, as Jackson Schaefer beat Ryder Green from the top of the right circle to make it 1-1.
The game would go back and forth in the middle frame as Spencer picked up his second of the season just 13 seconds in deflecting a Nick Bianchi point shot. Anders Foyn Roen would feed Bianchi on the right point who sent it towards the goal.
Jeremy Friesen tied it up for Powell River once again at 8:21 when he got a loose puck off a blocked shot and beat Green to make it 2-2.
Just under two minutes later, Max Mahoney picked up his first BCHL goal as a Max Reed point shot deflected off his head and neck area and went in. The goal would be reviewed but was deemed a good goal.
Rhett Tubello got his first BCHL and Junior goal at 3:51 of the third period to give the Spruce Kings their first two goal lead of the game, as he beat Vavro from the right faceoff dot to make it 4-2.\
The Kings would respond and get back within a goal at the very end of a 5 on 3 power play, as Michael Mikan beat Green to make it 4-3.
Then, 2:02 later, Jake Westhaver’s first of the season tied up the game, which allowed the late game heroics.
In the final minute, Brec Cristenson’s pass hit a patch of ice and hopped over the Spruce Kings defenders stick right to Deegan Hoffbauer who put the puck in with just 19.8 seconds to go in the game.
The Spruce Kings were called for the last seven penalties in the game, and went 6/7 on the penalty kill, while the power play didn’t score on their three first period chances.
The Spruce Kings will welcome the West Kelowna Warriors on Friday September 25th for the 2026 HOME OPENER at 7 PM. The Mavrik Turnbull Foundation will be in attendance with Mavrik’s parents dropping the puck. Tickets available at www.sprucekings.bc.ca/tickets
