The longest losing streak of the 2019-20 season thus far is over for the Prince George Spruce Kings.
After six consecutive setbacks between Dec. 1 and 18, a night in Surrey and a powerful Preston Brodziak was all the Spruce Kings needed to get back in the win column, taking down the Eagles by a score of 3-2.
The 20-year-old Saskatchewan product potted two goals Friday night (Dec. 20), including one while shorthanded that proved to be the difference.
“It was a big game, we really needed that one,” said Brodziak to Spruce Kings TV following the victory.
“I felt good out there and it was nice to get back in the line-up after being out for a couple of games, but hopefully we can keep it up going until the Christmas break and into the new year.”
.@Brodz04 returns to the lineup in a big way. 3 points including the game winner and now tied for the team lead in goals. Big win tonight for the Spruce Kings.#BCHL pic.twitter.com/qVMNvCTipE
— Cole Waldie (@colewaldiepxp) December 21, 2019
This was Brodziak’s second B.C. Hockey League (BCHL) three-point performance and fifth multi-point game of the year.
His assist came on the first goal of the night at South Surrey Arena, helping Corey Cunningham light his 13th lamp of the season with two minutes left in the opening period.
Both players are currently tied for the team-scoring race with 13 goals each.
Cunningham has been the hottest player for the 'Kings with five points in his last four games.
The first of Brodziak’s pair came with 16 seconds left while on a penalty kill in the second stanza, scoring just his second BCHL shorthander unassisted.
“Our kill was unreal and we knew we needed to be good,” he said as special teams killed off all six penalties against the Eagles.
“We got scored on in the last couple of games, so it was a big night on the penalty kill and everyone did their jobs.”
Surrey soared back to prevent a possible shut out and cut the deficit to 2-1 over seven minutes into the final frame.
Brodziak regained the two-goal lead at 3-1 while on a power-play at 13:24, which ultimately turned out to be the game-winner.
The Eagles did get back to within one with 44 seconds remaining in regulation by pulling their goaltender for the extra attacker, but time expired on any chance to force overtime and Prince George walked away with the 3-2 victory.
Jett Alexander stayed sharp last night, stopping 28 of 30 shots, including 19 in a row through the first 40 minutes.
The Spruce Kings now have a 12-21-2-3 record, putting them two games behind Surrey in fourth place in the Mainland Division standings.
Prince George wraps up its 2019 campaign with a visit to Langley on Sunday afternoon (Dec. 22) at 2:30 p.m.
