The Prince George Spruce Kings and Penticton Vees are already in playoff mode, even the post-season doesn’t begin until March.
A hard-fought contest concluded with Ben Poisson scoring in overtime recording a 3-2 victory in front of 745 fans at the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena on Saturday.
The captain was set up for his second of the game thanks to a great individual effort from Patrick Cozzi during the three-on-three overtime session.
“Obviously, Penticton is a great organization in this league and we prepared well against them as they did against us and it ended up being a really good game.”
The Spruce Kings improve to 14-6-0-1 on the season and are now three points back of the Chilliwack Chiefs for top spot in the Mainland Division.
The Vees found themselves up 1-0 after 20 minutes of play courtesy of Ryan Sandelin who put home a pass from playmaking centre David Silye beating Spruce Kings netminder Logan Neaton.
Ben Brar tied up the game in the middle frame after parking himself on top of the blue paint to deflect home a Dustin Manz pass from the corner.
Poisson and James Miller (Penticton) traded power-play goals in the third period to force overtime.
The Spruce Kings are back in action next Friday and Saturday against the Langley Rivermen (9-10-0-1).
Poisson is expecting another hard-fought battle from the division rival.
“Our division has been really tight so any points we can get are very important and we’re looking to climb the standings a little bit.”
Prince George also recorded a 2-1 win over the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Friday at the RMCA with local products Corey Cunningham and Craig MacDonald lighting the lamp.
The Spruce Kings outshot the Bulldogs 46-19.
