An early Happy Easter for the Prince George Spruce Kings and their BCHL colleagues!
The league unveiled its schedule for the approved COVID-19 return-to-play season, beginning on Good Friday, April 2, and ending on May 9, totalling 160 games in under 40 days.
Each team, including the Spruce Kings, will suit up for 20 games in their respective pod locations, 10 as the designated home team and 10 as the guests.
For the 2019 Fred Page and Doyle Cup champions, the puck is set to drop on their 2020-21 altered campaign on April 3 in a clash against the Chiefs.
On Friday (March 19), the BCHL confirmed Prince George would be competing in the three-team Chilliwack pod along with the Merritt Centennials.
The Kings will be housed in the Fraser Valley community and all of its players are currently in the middle of a mandatory quarantine before heading south.
Upon arrival, they’re set to undergo a COVID-19 test, to which the BCHL has hired a Chief Medical Officer to oversee all health and safety protocols in all five pods, and it must be a negative result before a player or staff member can join their club to prepare for the season.
“It has been a long road, but we’re thrilled to finally announce our season schedule,” said BCHL Executive Director Steven Cocker in a statement today (March 23).
“Our coaches and players have spent the past seven months focusing on on-ice and off-ice development and now we are able to provide them with a chance to play meaningful games to give them the NHL and NCAA exposure they deserve.”
Prince George’s schedule appears to be favourable, considering the shortened time-frame and only playing with two other teams.
They have six back-to-back nights and never play the same opponent for more than two straight days.
In the 2020-21 extended exhibition stint, the red, white and blue finished 4-2-0-1 against their cohort, which included four games against Merritt.
Prince George went 3-1 against the Cents following an 0-2 record from the 2019-20 season when they were competing in separate divisions.
In eight tilts against Chilliwack that same year, the Kings only registered one victory.
All games between the Spruce Kings, Chiefs and Centennials start at 5 p.m. Pacific Time at Chilliwack Coliseum.
Prince George’s schedule is as follows:
April
- 3 = Away vs. Chilliwack
- 4 = Home vs. Merritt
- 7 = Away vs. Merritt
- 9 = Away vs. Chilliwack
- 10 = Home vs. Merritt
- 12 = Home vs. Chilliwack
- 15 = Home vs. Chilliwack
- 16 = Home vs. Merritt
- 18 = Away vs. Chilliwack
- 19 = Away vs. Merritt
- 21 = Home vs. Chilliwack
- 24 = Away vs. Chilliwack
- 25 = Home vs. Merritt
- 28 = Away vs. Merritt
- 30 = Away vs. Chilliwack
May
- 1 = Home vs. Merritt
- 3 = Home vs. Chilliwack
- 5 = Away vs. Merritt
- 7 = Home vs. Merritt
- 9 = Away vs. Chilliwack
In an interview with Sportsnet 650 on March 12 following the season's confirmation, BCHL Commissioner Chris Hebb mentioned while playoffs are not in the league's plan, it may be considered if COVID-19 provincial public health orders are loosened in a way that travel would be allowed.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said Monday (March 22) this could be possible by the end of April, but only if the pandemic’s situation in B.C. turns around.
