Photo Credit: Vicki Brown
PRINCE GEORGE- The Prince George Spruce Kings took to the ice at Kopar Memorial Arena for the first time in twenty days last weekend.
The Kings entered the weekend losing five straight games, and the schedule wouldn’t get any easier. The Vernon Vipers made the trip up to the Northern Capital for two games in two days.
The first was Friday at 7:00 pm. Not A School Night at Kopar Memorial Arena saw the stands packed with kids from Prince George and the Surrounding area. While the Spruce Kings would come up short on the scoreboard, the entertainment value was high.
The only goal of the first period would be courtesy of the Vipers. As a power play expired, Luke Bibby (’04), from Brantford, Ontario, would bury his ninth goal of the season past Spruce Kings goalie, Charlie Zolin (’04).
The Spruce Kings would struggle in the second period. The Vipers would strike three more times. Twice in the first 10 minutes of the period, and once in the final 45 seconds of the period.
Sandwiched in the middle of the three Vernon goals, the Spruce Kings would get their first goal of the game. Alexis Cournoyer (’03) would pick up his 11th goal of the year. 4-1, the score after two periods.
The Entertainment value mentioned earlier really kicks up in the third period. J.R. Perdion (’03) and Kilian McGregor-Bennett (’03) would both score in the third period. Perdion’s goal would be his 10th of the season, and McGregor-Bennett would tally his 16th. The Spruce Kings would bring the score back to 4-3 with two minutes left.
Prince George would throw everything they had at the Vipers in the final few moments. Vernon goaltender Ethan David (’03) was excellent and slammed the door on the Spruce Kings. Vernon would add another goal with the Prince George net empty. 5-3, the final score on Friday night.
Game Summary
Scoring
Prince George: A. Cournoyer (11), J. Perdion (10), K. McGregor-Bennett (16)
Vernon: L. Bibby (9), A. Cliche (10), S. Busch (8), E. McPherson (1), J. Facchinelli (10)
Goaltending
Charlie Zolin (L) 59:17 (4GA 38 Saves)
Ethan David (W) 60:00 (3GA 29 Saves)
Power play
Prince George: 2/7
Vernon: 0/1
The Spruce Kings and the Vipers duelled once again on Saturday night.
The second game of the weekend would bring better fortune for the Spruce Kings. It would be two men who lead the scoring charge.
The first period would see no scoring. Both goalies would be very good. Ryan Sanborn (’05) would turn away all six Vernon shots he faced in the first twenty minutes.
The Vipers would score first in the second period. Adam Csabi (’05) would pick his corner and execute, sending his 18th goal of the year over the shoulder of Sanborn. Then it would be all Spruce Kings.
J.R. Perdion and Linden Makow (’04) would both score twice in the final 15 minutes of the second period. Three of the four goals would come five-on-five, which is great news for the Spruce Kings, who have struggled to score at even strength this season.
Vernon would get one goal back in the third period. After that, Prince George would do a fantastic job defensively, limiting Vernon to just nine shots in the third period. 4-2, the Spruce Kings win on Saturday Night.
Game Summary
Scoring
Prince George: J. Perdion (11), L. Makow (13), J. Perdion (12), L. Makow (14)
Vernon: A. Csabi (18), G. Stavrianeas (9)
Goaltending
Ryan Sanborn (W) 60:00 (2GA 21 Saves)
Ethan David (L) 58:00 (3GA 29 Saves)
Power play
Prince George: 1/3
Vernon: 0/0
Next Game: The Spruce Kings will now hit the road and head to the interior of the province, where they will once again take on the Vernon Vipers. You can tune into that game live on 99.3 Rewind Radio on Friday at 7:00 pm.
