Photo Credit: Vicki Brown
TRAIL- It was a quick turnaround for the Prince George Spruce Kings. After two games in Seattle at the 2023 BCHL Showcase, The Kings headed Trail for a date with the Smoke Eaters.
Coming off a 7-2 loss at the hands of the Nanaimo Clippers, Saturday’s effort didn’t bring better fortune. The Spruce Kings picked up their second consecutive loss. They were bettered by the Smoke Eaters 7-3.
The first period saw the Smoke Eaters jump out to a 2-0 lead. Just over the five-minute mark in the first frame, the Smoke Eaters took advantage of the power-play. Lucas Veilleux (05) was called for a trip, which set up Ridge Dawson (04) for his first goal of the game. Later in the first period, Adam Marshall (03) would score Trail’s second goal and his sixth of the season.
In the second period, the Spruce Kings gave up three straight goals. Within six minutes of each other, Dawson, Marshall, and Adam Barone (04) would put the Smoke Eaters up 5-0. After the fifth goal, Head Coach Alex Evin pulled his starting goalie, Ryan Sanborn (05), who allowed five goals on 22 shots. Marcus Ouellet (04) would play the rest of the game.
Finally, with less than three minutes left in the second period, Kilian McGregor-Bennett (03) would score his sixth goal on the power-play. 5-1 the score after the second period.
The third period would be better for the Spruce Kings. Alexis Cournoyer (03) and Max Ranström (04) would score within two minutes of each other. Cournoyer’s tally would be his second of the season, and Ranstrom would pot his third of the year. The Kings would also allow two goals in the third period. Josh Schenk and Adam Parsons would each score for the Smoke Eaters. 7-3, the final score in Trail.
Game Summary
Scoring
Prince George: K. McGregor-Bennett (6), A. Cournoyer (2), M. Ranström (3)
Trail: R. Dawson (6), A. Marshall (6), R. Dawson (7), A. Marshall (7) A. Barone (3), J. Schenk (6), A. Parsons (5)
Goaltending
Ryan Sanborn: (L) 35:24 (5GA 17 Saves)
Marcus Ouellet: 24:36 (2GA 15 Saves)
Tegan Kendrick (W) 60:00 (3GA 15 Saves)
Power-play
Prince George: 2/5
Trail: 1/5
Next game: The Prince George Spruce Kings will head back to Prince George, but just for a few days. Next weekend, the team will head to Vernon to take on the Vipers on November 3, 2023. Then, on November 4, 2023, the Spruce Kings will be in Salmon Arm to take on the Silverbacks.