(Photo Courtesy: Chuck Chin)
PRINCE GEORGE – The West Kelowna Warriors see their losing streak get extended to four games after the Prince George Spruce Kings defeated them 2-1 Friday night at Kopar Memorial Arena.
The matchup, the first of a back-to-back in Prince George this weekend, was a battle for the second spot in the Interior Division with the two sides tied in points at 26 heading into the game.
Prince George secures their 13th win of the season and now sits in the second spot in the division with a record of 13-6-1-1. The Warriors have a record of 12-6-2-0 following Friday’s game.
In the opening period, after the Spruce Kings opened the game with a trigger-happy offence, it was the Warriors who drew first blood. Jaiden Moriello scored his 12th goal of the season. Isaiah Norlin and Brennan Nelson assisted on the play at 14:34.
The Warriors took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
In the second period, the Spruce Kings looked to knot the score up. Austin Fraser ended up scoring his 4th goal of the season at 18:52. Ben LeFranc put a point shot on net and Fraser put enough on the puck to deflect it in past Justin Katz. The goal drew some roars from the West Kelowna bench as they believed there was goaltender interference from Fraser, however, officials indicated the goal would stand.
The two sides went to their dressing rooms for the second intermission tied at 1-1.
In the third period, Fraser scored the go-ahead goal on the powerplay following a penalty to Aiden Reeves. Once again, Fraser parked himself in front of the net and tapped in the loose puck. Kilian McGregor-Bennett and Ben LeFranc earned the helpers.
The two sides will be back at Kopar Memorial Arena Saturday night to wrap up the weekend series.
The opening puck drop for the game is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
Tickets can be purchased through the Spruce Kings website or through the Spruce Kings Front Office beginning at 12:00 PM.
