Two teams going in opposite directions will meet up tonight at the Prince George Coliseum.
The Prince George Spruce Kings will put their four-game win streak on the line when the face off against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, who have dropped four straight games. The Bulldogs (7-6-0-3) have been outscored 13-4 in their last four B.C. Hockey League games, including being shutout twice and dropping a pair of games in overtime.
Meanwhile, the Spruce Kings (9-4-1-1) are tied atop the Mainland division with the Chilliwack Chiefs (9-3-1-1) and are coming off a pair of road wins against division rivals the Langley Rivermen (6-5-0-2) and the Coquitlam Express (8-4-1).
Spruce Kings defenceman Brad Ryan, with three goals and seven assists in 15 games this season, expects the 'Dogs to put up a fight.
"It's always tough games when a team is trying snap a losing streak but we want to continue our streak," said the 20-year-old. "I know they've got a high-powered offensive but their defence struggles a little bit so we've got to take advantage in the defensive zone and scoring chances will come."
The Bulldogs have scored 54 goals this season but given up 64 while the Spruce Kings are 50-40 in goals for/against.
Saturday the Spruce Kings welcome the West Kelowna Warriors (8-2-0-4) to the Coliseum, 7 p.m.
Ryan commits to Vermont
Brad Ryan will have less on his mind now that the Prince George Spruce King has secured his future with the NCAA Division 1 University of Vermont Catamounts.
"I had a few offers last year that I decided to turn down and a few offers this year and I just decided Vermont - I've visited there before and I know I'll get a good education - because education is really important to me," said Ryan.
He received the call Sunday and committed the next day. Ryan joined the Spruce Kings this season after playing in Ontario and credits Kings' general manager Mike Hawes for "pumping his tires" to secure the scholarship.
The Catamounts play out of the Hockey East Association and have produced several NHL players including Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Sharp, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Martin St. Louis, former Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas and former player turned coach John LeClair.
Ryan is the first member of the Spruce Kings to commit to the University of Vermont.
The only drawback in going to Vermont for Ryan, a Toronto native, is the snow.
"I'll have to deal with it," he said.
There are more than 12,000 undergraduate, graduate and medical students enrolled at Vermont.
