It wasn’t pretty, but the Prince George Spruce Kings have their first win of the 2021 season.
The Kings defeated the Merritt Centennials 3-2 Sunday evening in the BCHL’s Chilliwack pod.
Rookie defenceman Ben LeFranc jumped into the rush and took a pass from Nick Rheaume before lofting a high wrist shot in over blocker of Merritt goalie Josh Dias, 14:52 into the second period, for what stood up as game-winner.
It was the first career BCHL goal for LeFranc, a 17-year-old Penticton native, and that would loom large when the Centennials pulled to within a goal on a power play with 1:05 left in the third period. Zack Dallazanna poked a loose puck in just inside the post after a mad scramble in front of the Kings’ crease.
“It was very nice to get that first one, it was very sloppy but we’ll take it, it’s a good confidence-builder going forward,” said Kings head coach Alex Evin.
Jordan Fairlie made 26 stops in goal for the Spruce Kings to record his first BCHL win. Fairlie, an 18-year-old from Fort. St. John, joined the Kings this season after playing midget hockey last year for the Cariboo Cougars. LeFranc’s goal came right after the Kings defused a 5-on-3 disadvantage that lasted nearly four minutes in the second period and Fairlie was a key figure getting the Kings out of that jam
“I’m not too happy with our team discipline right now,” said Evin. “We’re spending way too much time on the kill.
“Jordan was good, he played solid. That big 5-on-3 save kept us in there. Honestly, I don’t know if we deserved to win that one.”
The Spruce Kings gave up two power-play goals in the eight opportunities they gave the Chilliwack Chiefs in Saturday’s season-opening 4-1 loss and Evin says his team has to get better at avoiding penalties in the 18 games they have left this season. On Sunday, the Kings went 1-for-6 on the power play and held Merritt scoreless in four chances.
Max Borovinskiy collected two assists to earn first-star honours. The 16-year-old rookie forward from West Vancouver set up Christian Buono’s power-play goal that put the Kings ahead 2-1 early in the second period. Borovinskiy was also in on the first goal of the game 10:42 in, taking the puck in deep on the Cents’ goal before Kolton Cousins poked in the rebound.
Jerzy Orchard tied it for Merritt on an odd-man rush 17:32 into the first period.
The same teams meet again Wednesday at Chilliwack Coliseum. Game time is 5 p.m.
