(Travis Schneider chased behind the net by Ryan Markovic, Photo By: MyLight Photography)
It’s wasn’t as high scoring as an affair as Saturday, but the Prince George Spruce Kings got the job done against the Surrey Eagles.
Saturday night the Spruce Kings were able to score within the first two periods, and they got off to a fast start after Nick Minerva received a game misconduct just seventeen seconds into the game. That took the Eagles leading scorer from the game, and gave Prince George a power play opportunity. After going 0 for 4 the night before, the Spruce Kings took just 13 seconds to capitalize as Brett Mennear fed Tanner Campell on the right goal line, and he slid the puck out front for Chong Lee to score his second goal in two games after going 10 straight without a marker. The assist marked Mennear’s 100th point in the BCHL.
Ten minutes later it was Lee creating offence again as he took a feed inside the blueline, and as he received the puck he glanced behind him to spot Liam Watson-Brawn. The forward took a few strides ahead to create some room, and then dropped the rubber back for Watson-Brawn. The rookie blueliner’s shot took a deflection, and beat Botiz to double the lead at 2-0.
The second period didn’t see any goals scored, but Tyler Anderson threw down with Ryan Markovic after Anderson threw a hit that had Logan Mostat hobbling to the bench.
Early in the third, the Eagles made things interesting with a goal less than two minutes in off the stick of Desi Burgart. It would be Prince George scoring the all important next goal though as Mark O’Shaughnessy firing a puck high off the glass, and ahead to Parker Colley for a one-on-one. After no goals in his first 11 games, Colley had goals in his two games coming in. The streak would continue as the raced up the left wall, and cut inside before going through the legs of Botiz. A late Surrey power play conversion would cut the lead to a one goal lead with 1:30 as Jacob Dupont scored for the second night in a row again scoring from the blueline, this time around with a slapshot past Wornig. Sealing the deal was Connor Russel as he picked up a failed dump in attempt, and lifted it down the ice and into the empty net to double up the score at 4-2.
The Spruce Kings outshot the Eagles 32-25, and went 1 for 6 on the man advantage, while killing off 6 of 7 Eagle power plays including some 5-on-3 time.
With the win, Prince George moved into sole possession for 3rd in the Mainland Division. They sit three points ahead of the Langley Rivermen who fell 5-1 to the Powell River Kings, and two point up on the Coquitlam Express. PG also has a game in hand over both opponents. The Express will roll into town next weekend as they play Friday and Saturday in the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena. Friday October 28th the Spruce Kings will have their Veterans Appreciation Night with special camouflage jersey’s coming in for the night that will be auctioned off afterwards.
