Photo Credit: Vicki Brown
PRINCE GEORGE- The Prince George Spruce Kings hit the road for the first time in 2024 this past weekend.
Friday night, the Spruce Kings went head-to-head with the Chilliwack Chiefs, then after a day off, Prince George was in Trail on Sunday.
In true Spruce Kings fashion this season, Friday night was dual that required an extra frame.
After the Chiefs opened the scoring in the first period, Kilian McGregor-Bennett (’03), who had just returned to the lineup after missing two games against Penticton, immediately made an impact.
Taking a pass from Linden Makow (’04) off his skate, McGregor-Bennett made a beautiful play, finishing his 12th goal of the season over the shoulder of Chiefs goalie Austin McNicholas (’04). 1-1, the score after the first period.
In the second period, the Chiefs would score twice. First, a defensive breakdown in front of the net left Caleb Elfering (’04) all alone. One quick backhand shot beat Spruce Kings goalie, Ryan Sanborn (’05) on the glove slide.
Later in the second period, the Spruce Kings would get into penalty trouble. Alexis Cournoyer (’03) and Trent Ballentyne (’04) would commit two-minute minors, giving the Chiefs a 5-3 power play for a full two minutes. It didn’t take long for Brain Morse (’03) to rip his eighth goal of the season past Sanborn.
All of this would set up yet another comeback for the Spruce Kings. In the third period, Skogen Schrott (’05) would give the Prince George life. An incredible solo effort saw Schrott go coast-to-coast, powering his way to the front of the net, where he buried his tenth goal of the season past McNicholas.
While Schrott and the Spruce Kings were celebrating, Carter Hesselgrave (’05) would take a cross-check across the face. After a discussion, the officials decided that Morse, the Chiefs defenceman, would be given a five-minute major penalty and a ten-minute game misconduct.
Thirty seconds into the ensuing power play, the Spruce Kings would tie the game. Cournoyer let a show go from the top of the circles. After one, two, and three jabs at the puck, Makow would finally smack it past the Chiefs goalie, setting up overtime in Chilliwack.
It didn’t take long for the Spruce Kings to strike. Who else but Kilian McGregor-Bennett, who squeaked his 13th goal of the season past McNicholas. On a two-on-one, McGregor Bennett let a wrist shot fly beating the Chiefs goalie under the arm. 4-3, the Spruce Kings win in overtime.
Game Summary
Scoring
Prince George: K. McGregor-Bennett (12), S. Schrott (10), L. Makow (12), K.McGregor-Bennett (13)
Chilliwack: M. Argentina (9), C. Elfering (5), B. Morse (8)
Goaltending
Ryan Sanborn (W) 62:20 (3GA 27 Saves)
Austin McNicholas (OTL) 62:20 (4GA 28 Saves)
Power play
Prince George: 1/4
Chilliwack: 1/4
In the second game of the weekend, the Spruce Kings would not have the same success.
At Cominco Arena in Trail, Prince George would fall to the Smoke Eaters by a final score of 4-1.
The only Spruce Kings goal of the afternoon would come off the stick of Linden Makow. Once again, it was a magnificent solo effort, this time short-handed. Makow would go wide on a couple of Smoke Eaters defenders and fire a lethal wrist shot past the glove of Smoke Eaters goalie Ryan Parker (’05).
Other than the one goal, the Spruce Kings could not solve Parker. The Victoria-born goalie was sharp all afternoon, making 28 saves in the winning effort.
Game Summary
Scoring
Prince George: L. Makow (13)
Trail: J. Makway (2), E. Warrener (6), R. Dawson (14), J. Makway (3)
Goaltending
Charlie Zolin (L) 57:19 (3GA 32 Saves)
Ryan Parker (W) 60:00 (1GA 28 Saves)
Power play
Prince George: 0/2
Trail: 1/2
Next Games: The Spruce Kings will now be off until January 26, 2024. The Salmon Arm Silverbacks will make their way up to Kopar Memorial Arena for a double header. In the mean time, Spruce Kings fans can support Kai Greaves as he heads to Penticton to play in the 2024 BCHL All-Star game on Friday night.
