The West Kelowna Warriors saw their losing streak get extended to four games after the Prince George Spruce Kings defeated them 2-1 Friday night at Kopar Memorial Arena.
The matchup, the first of a back-to-back in Prince George this weekend, was a battle for the second spot in the Interior Division with the two sides tied in points at 26 heading into the game.
Prince George secured its 13th win of the season and now sits in the second spot in the division with a record of 13-6-1-1. The Warriors have a record of 12-6-2-0 heading into a rematch with the Kings tonight.
In the opening period, after the Spruce Kings opened the game with a trigger-happy offence, the Warriors drew first blood. Jaiden Moriello scored his 12th goal of the season. Isaiah Norlin and Brennan Nelson assisted on the play at 14:34.
The Warriors took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
In the second period, Kings winger Austin Fraser ended up scoring his fourth goal of the season at 18:52. Ben LeFranc put a point shot on the net and Fraser put enough on the puck to deflect it in past Justin Katz. The goal drew some roars from the West Kelowna bench as they believed there was goaltender interference from Fraser, however, officials indicated the goal would stand.
The two sides went to their dressing rooms for the second intermission tied at 1-1.
In the third period, Fraser scored the go-ahead goal on the powerplay following a penalty to Aiden Reeves. Once again, Fraser parked himself in front of the net and tapped in the loose puck. Kilian McGregor-Bennett and LeFranc earned the helpers.
Game time tonight at Kopar Memorial Arena is 7 p.m.
