The Prince George Spruce Kings have been playing better hockey lately but nobody expected to demonstrate that growing trend like they did Saturday night to the Surrey Eagles.
They bombed the Eagles 11-2, scoring twice in the first period, four times in the second period, adding five more for good measure in the third, much to the delight of the Kings supporters in the crowd of 870 at Rolling Mix Concrete Arena.
Brett Mennear and Kyle Johnson each scored a pair of goals and had an assist while Jarod Hovde finished with a goal and three assists. Hunter Luhmann scored twice and Ethan de Jong collected a goal and two assists.
Other Kings goalscorers were Chong Lee, Tanner Campbell and Parker Colley, who scored his second of the season on a penalty shot, beating goalie Michael Botiz at 8:46 of the third period. Botiz came in to relieve Surrey starting goalie Darius Davidson, who was yanked 3:45 into the second period after giving up Luhmann’s first of the night.
Mennear’s first goal came just 33 seconds into the game. Jacob Dupont tied it at the 8:18 mark of the first period, but Johnson restored the Kings’ lead before the first intermission.
Jeffrey Stewart was the other Eagle who found the net behind Tavin Grant, who made 23 saves to notch his second B.C. Hockey League victory.
The win improved the Spruce Kings’ record to 6-8-0-1 as they moved into third place in the Mainland Division, tied with Coquitlam (6-9-0-1), each with 13 points. The Eagles (4-8-2-0) remained sixth in the Mainland, three points ahead of the Eagles, who have played one fewer game than Prince George.
The Eagles and Spruce Kings meet again in a rematch today at 3 p.m. at Rolling Mix Concrete Arena.
