For the first time this season the Prince George Spruce Kings suffered a regulation loss on home ice.
The Spruce Kings (11-6-1-2) fell 7-3 to the Victoria Grizzlies (13-7-0-1) at the Coliseum on Saturday as the visitors went four for six on the power play. It's the third consecutive loss for the Spruce Kings who return to the road for three games through the B.C. Hockey League's Interior division on the weekend.
Lyndon Martell and Mitch Eden scored first period goals for the Spruce Kings but the Island division's top ranked team rebounded and the teams left the ice after 20 minutes tied at 2-2.
Former Spruce Kings forward Myles Fitzgerald tied the game at 2-2 with a power-play goal with less than two minutes to play in the opening period. It was the only point from the Fitzgerald triplets as Leo and Gerry were held off the score board.
The middle frame was the undoing for Prince George and the 1,431 fans cheering on the home team as the Grizzlies left the ice after 40 minutes with a comfortable 5-2 advantage.
Blake Thompson, David Mazurek and Stefan Nicholishen had the second period goals for Victoria while Chase Kaiser and Mark McLellan added power-play markers in the third to secure the road win.
Spruce Kings defenceman Brad Ryan completed the scoring with less than five minutes to play.
Myles Powell had a goal and two assists for the Grizzlies while Spruce Kings leading scorer Coltyn Hansen picked up an assist on Martell's goal.
The Spruce Kings were 2-for-8 with the man advantage.
The three-game losing skid has dropped the Spruce Kings to third place in the Mainland division as the Chilliwack Chiefs (14-5-1-1) have opened up a five-point league.
-Lamb
