In a dominating performance the Prince George Spruce Kings dumped the visiting Surrey Eagles.
Thursday at the Coliseum Spruce Kings forward Cameron Lawson had three assists to lead his team to a 4-1 victory. In addition Lawson put the Kings on a power play to end the game when he caused Eagles centre Brett Mulcahy to lose his temper and tally up penalties leading to a seven-minute man advantage.
With a dozen games left in the B.C. Hockey League regular season the Spruce Kings (21-15-1-7) are pretty secure in third place in the Mainland division with a 10-point advantage over the Langley Rivermen and a 13-point lead over the Coquitlam Express.
The loss ended a three-game win streak for the division leading Eagles (27-12-2-3). In seven games between the division rivals this season the Spruce Kings have points in all of them with four wins and three overtime losses.
There were 1,015 spectators in attendance to witness the Spruce Kings win over the Eagles. The fans witnessed an elite goaltending duel between the Eagles Michael Santaguida and the Kings Kirk Thompson. Prince George out shot Surrey 38-32.
Prince George led 2-0 after the first period on goals 84 seconds apart from Lyndon Martell and Chad Staley. The power-play marker by Martell was his 10th of the season.
Brady Shaw had the only goal of the second period as the Eagles pulled within one at 2-1. It was the 27th goal of the season for Shaw.
In the final 20 minutes Lawson set up Shayne Morrissey for his 14th goal of the season to put the Spruce Kings ahead 3-1 and then earned a helper when he set up Liam Blackburn during a power play. For Blackburn, a member of the BCMML Cariboo Cougars, it was his first goal in the BCHL.
The Eagles were without five regular contributors including their prized trade deadline acquisition forward Adam Tambellini - a probable selection in the 2013 NHL entry draft.
Out of the Spruce Kings' lineup with day-to-day injuries were defenceman Kevin Guiltinan (hip pointer) and forwards Sean Landrey (knee) and David Stephens (knee). Meanwhile forward Tyson Witala has left the Spruce Kings for reasons general manager Mike Hawes said were "a mutual parting of the ways."
The Spruce Kings host the Nanamio Clippers (23-17-0-2) tonight, 7 p.m. at the Coliseum.
