It may be a long road ahead for the Prince George Spruce Kings in hopes of defending the Fred Page Cup.
The 2020 B.C. Hockey League (BCHL) playoffs begin next Friday, Feb. 28 and it pins the Spruce Kings against the Trail Smoke Eaters in a first-round series.
Prince George, by virtue of their last-place Mainland Division finish, is being crossed over to the Interior Division side of the postseason bracket, along with the Victoria Grizzlies.
As a result of a seventh playoff placing within the Interior, the ‘Kings will face the Trail Smoke Eaters, who will finish second in the division by season’s end.
In all three meetings between the two clubs in the regular season, the Spruce Kings lost on all three occasions to the Smokies.
- 3-0 loss on Sept. 28, 2019 (Rolling Mix Concrete Arena)
- 7-4 loss on Oct. 5, 2019 (BCHL Showcase in Penticton)
- 9-2 loss on Jan. 29, 2020 (Cominco Arena)
Trail is also home to the BCHL’s season scoring-champion Kent Johnson, who boasts 101 points in 52 games including 41 goals.
The best-of-seven series will start in Trail with Game One set for next Friday, Feb. 28.
Prince George will host Games Three and Four on Monday, March 2 and Tuesday, March 3, both at Rolling Mix Concrete Arena and with 7 p.m. puck-drops.
If necessary, Game Five will also take place in B.C.’s northern capital on Thursday, March 5.
The Spruce Kings will open up their office on Monday (Feb. 24) at 12 p.m. for those wishing to purchase playoff tickets in-person.
Online tickets won’t be sold until Tuesday (Feb. 25) at 10 a.m.
For more information, you can visit the Prince George Spruce Kings’ website.
The team’s final two games of 2019-20 are in their home barn this Friday (Feb. 21) and Saturday (Feb. 22) against Coquitlam.
