A three-goal third period surge by the Prince George Spruce Kings propelled them to a 5-3 victory over the Chilliwack Chiefs who travelled up to the Northern Capital with eight affiliate players after clinching the BCHL’s Mainland Division crown last week.
It looked like it was going to be point night early on for the Spruce Kings who jumped out to an early 2-0 lead thanks to Lucas Vanroboys and Ben Brar who found the back of the net against Chiefs netminder Nolan Hildebrand.
After outshooting Chilliwack 14-5 in the opening frame, the Spruce Kings thought it was a good idea to take their foot off the gas against the Chiefs but proved costly as Jaques Bouquot and Cade Cavallini beat Prince George goalie Logan Neaton to even the score.
In the third, Ben Poisson put the Spruce Kings into overdrive scoring the first of three unanswered goals to pull away from the youthful Chiefs who were outshot 47-14 in the game.
“Obviously, Chilliwack is not a team we like and being down 3-2 in front of a good crowd on a Friday night, we wanted to win that one and we started to play the way we were capable of and it started working out for us,” said Poisson.
Brar scored his second of the game on a delayed Chilliwack penalty while Dylan Anhorn lit the lamp with 27 seconds remaining.
In a game where one team had the experience and talent advantage on paper over a much younger squad, some complacency crept in for Prince George, something that will need to be corrected come playoff time.
“That’s a different team than we’re used to playing so we got up two nothing and some guys wanted more points but we found a way to get through it.”
“Obviously, we want come into the playoffs on a roll and we want to come in and get the two points tomorrow so we can feel good going into the playoffs.” Poisson said.
Speaking of the playoffs, the Spruce Kings now know they are going to play against the Coquitlam Express in round one which begins next Friday and Saturday from the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena.
The Spruce Kings improve to 38-13-1-5 and finish off the regular season against the Chiefs Saturday at 7pm from the RMCA.
