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Wild Sweep Season Series With 5-3 Win

(Photo by: Russ Alman, Digital Media Northwest)

With very few bounces going their way, the Spruce Kings fell 5-3 to the Wenatchee Wild as the southern rival swept the season series in what looks to be a very possible first round series.

The Spruce Kings got off to a better start in their second matchup against the Wenatchee Wild in as many nights, but it wound up being the same score after 20 minutes. Ethan de Jong nearly opened the scoring 2:30 in to the game, but his shot ran off the inside of the post and bounced out.

Working their points, the Wild were able to get a tip from Matt Baker to open things at 4:16. Wenatchee doubled their lead four minutes later with Dakota Raabe taking advantage of a fortunate bounce. Trying to centre the puck over for Baker, his pass was blocked, but came right back to him where he found the top left corner at 8:29.

After lighting it up the night before, the top line made sure they weren’t forgotten as Brendan Harris picked up a rebound and slapped in his 19th goal of the year. It started with another point shot as Chad Sasaki took the original wrister, and hitting a body in front it bounced right to Harris who had half the net open.

It took 14:19 into the second for a goal to come, but they came in a bunch as four were scored in the span of 3:31. Tanner Camobell broke any hope of an Anthony Yamnitsky shutout as a long shot from the top of the circles was able to beat him. The goal was the first point from Campbell since returning from injury that kept him out for two months.

The Spruce would head to the box shortly after Tyler Anderson took a trip to the penalty box for slashing. The Wild won the ensuing faceoff and after a quick cycle moved the puck to the front of the net. With three Wenatchee players jamming for the puck, it was Matt Baker chipping it over Tavin Grant for the 4-1 lead. Ethan O’Rourke would find his first point as a Spruce Kings setting up Ben Poisson at 16:18. From the right corner, the big forward was able to free up the puck, and dish it out front for Poisson to knock in his 10th of the season. Last year as an AP, Poisson scored his first in the league in Wenatchee. The home side capped off the scoring as Wenatchee was able to score on their second consecutive power play. Ben Brar missed a hit, and but caught Lucas Sowder with his legs tripping the Wild forward. After a hat-trick the night before, Charlie Combs found the back of the net coming down the left corner and rocketing a shot into the near top corner at 17:50 for the 5-2 Wild lead after two.

Prince George hit the post two more times in the third, but did come up with one goal. Entering on a career high six game point drought, Kyle Johnson was able to pickup a puck, and get enough of the shot to beat Yamnitsky and squeeze it across the goal line. The goal came at 13:55, and that’s as close as the Spruce Kings would come as they scored three goals agaisnt the Wild for just the third time since their inception into the BCHL.

Shots were 31-29 for the Wenatchee Wild, and the home side cashed in on two of five power plays while Prince George was zero for three. PG now heads to the Interior where they will take on the Merritt Centennials Friday, Salmon Arm Silverbacks Saturday, and Vernon Vipers Sunday afternoon.

 

Scoring
1st
4:16 WEN Matthew Baker (19) ASST: Colin Burston (29), Alex Bates(30)
8:29 WEN Dakota Raabe (16) ASST: Colin Burston (30), Tyler Rockwell(18)
13:16 WEN Brendan Harris (19) ASST: Chad Sasaki (5), Lucas Sowder(12)
2nd
14:19 PG Tanner Campbell (6) ASST: None
15:59 WEN Matthew Baker (20) ASST: Dakota Raabe (26), Charlie Combs(26) (PP)
16:18 PG Ben Poisson (10) ASST: Ethan O’Rourke (1)
17:50 WEN Charlie Combs (43) ASST: Chad Sasaki (6), Sam Morton (16)(PP)
3rd
13:55 PG Kyle Johnson (8) ASST: None