Photo Credit: Vicki Brown
PRINCE GEORGE- The Prince George Spruce Kings returned home Friday night for the Drop the Gloves and Sock It to ‘Em feature night.
The opponent for the Spruce Kings is the Trail Smoke Eaters, who are making their first trip to the northern capital this season.
The sold-out crowd at Kopar Memorial Arena didn’t have to wait long to throw the warm winter clothing.
Owen Goodbrand (’04) scored the big goal. Breaking down the wing, Goodbrand let a shot fly, hitting the back of the net just three minutes and two seconds into the game.
Thousands of socks, mitts, scarves and toques flew over the glass. All of tonight’s donations will benefit St. Vincent de Paul.
Chaos, which was the rest of the game, ensued shortly after. Trail would respond with their first goal just a minute and a half later.
The Spruce Kings would lead 2-1 after the first period. Kai Greaves (’03), on the power play, let a shot from the blue line, beating Smoke Eaters goalie Ryan Parker (’05).
In the final 40 minutes, 12 goals were scored between the two teams. Seven by the Smoke Eaters, five by the Spruce Kings.
Skogen Schrott (’05) would score twice in the Spruce King’s loss to the Smoke Eaters. Greaves scored his second goal of the game and third of the season in the third period.
The headline for the Spruce Kings entering Friday night was Charlie Zolin (’04), who was making his first start for the organization. Zolin joined the team earlier in the week and was given the nod by Head Coach Alex Evin right away.
Zolin’s debut was not one he would like to remember. On 28 shots, the Greenwich, Connecticut, product would allow seven goals against, being pulled in favour of Ryan Sanborn (’05) in the third period.
Ultimately, on a wild Friday night in Prince George, the Spruce Kings blew a two-goal lead in the third period, losing to the Trail Smoke Eaters by a score of 8-7.
Game Summary
Scoring
Prince George: O. Goodbrand (4), K. Greaves (2), L. Makow (9), K. McGregor-Bennett (10), S. Schrott (6), K. Greaves (3), S. Schrott (7)
Trail: A. Parsons (8), A. Parsons (9), M. Cobetto-Roy (10), C. Stefanek (4), M. Cobetto-Roy (11), J. Stefanek (8), J. Stefanek (9), G. Bucci (2)
Goaltending
Charlie Zolin 48:19 (7GA 21 Saves)
Ryan Sanborn (L) 5:56 (1GA 3 saves)
Ryan Parker (W) 60:00 (7 GA 41 saves)
Power play
Prince George: 3/3
Trail: 1/1
