Jesse Jenks picked up his first career B.C. Hockey League win in his second game for the Prince George Spruce Kings.
The 18-year-old recorded a 36-save win last Friday as the Spruce Kings (2-3-0-1) handed the Penticton Vees (4-1) their first loss of the season. With the win Jenks now has a 1-1 record with the Spruce Kings.
Jenks had a game-saving pointblank stop off a Vees' player midway through the third period when Penticton was pressing.
The more than 900 fans in attendance at the Coliseum showed their appreciation for Jenks' effort, which was a much different response than the last time he shined on the ice in Prince George. In March, Jenks frustrated the Cariboo Cougars during the first round of the major midget playoffs at CN Centre, and nearly helped his seventh-seeded South Island Royals pull off the upset of the second place team.
Jenks faced 87 shots by the Cariboo Cougars in two games and had a .966 save percentage.
"It was cool to come out here and have like 900 fans for major midget game," said Jenks. "It's cooler to have even more now cheering for me instead."
Witala returns
Tyson Witala made his return to the Coliseum on Saturday as a member of the Trail Smoke Eaters. It was a successful night for the 20-year-old who recorded two assists to help the Smokies to a 4-2 win.
Witala spent a season and a half with the Spruce Kings before parting ways with the club in January after the BCHL trade deadline. Witala remained the property of the Spruce Kings and was ultimately shipped to Trail for future considerations in the summer.
"I just needed a new change," said Witala. "I just though maybe I'd get out of town and just try something new. It's been going good so far here in Trail."
Witala has recorded four assists in seven games with the Smoke Eaters this season. During his stint with the Spruce Kings he had 22 goals and 40 points in 94 games. Witala also played three games with the Westside Warriors in his BCHL career, picking up a goal and a assist in the 2011-12 season before returning to Prince George.
BCHL discipline
Spruce Kings rookie forward Cole Todd missed Saturday's game against Trail, serving the first of a two-game suspension for a major penalty (blow to the head) he took in Friday's game with Penticton. Todd will be eligible to return to the Spruce Kings' lineup Saturday night.
Road trip
The Spruce Kings take to the road this weekend for games against their Mainland division rivals. On Friday (7 p.m.) and Sunday (2 p.m.) the Spruce Kings are in Coquitlam to face off against the Express (3-1-0-1). In between, the Kings are in Chilliwack to face the Chiefs (1-2-1) on Saturday (7 p.m.).
