It was almost like a deja vu for the Prince George Spruce Kings in their second home game of the BCHL season.
Except on Saturday when the Kings staked out a two-goal lead at the Coliseum they were able to fend off the Penticton Vees' attack and hold on for a 4-2 win. In Friday's home opener the Kings twice blew a two-goal advantage losing 4-3 in overtime to the Trail Smoke Eaters.
Kings head coach Dave Dupas said holding on for the victory - including having to kill off a two-minute minor leading 3-2 with less than two minutes left in the game - should benefit the team as the season progresses.
"We're a young team and we have to learn how to win," said Dupas. "It was a good confidence builder for the guys.
"It feels especially good after last night," he added. "You get a game like we played last night and then you get the [2011-12] best team in the league coming in here but the guys stepped it up and played hard and went toe to toe with the guys."
The win has the Spruce Kings (3-0-0-1) in first place in the Mainland Division a point up on the Coquitlam Express (3-0) while the Vees (3-1) suffered their first loss of the regular season and second straight loss at the Coliseum dating back to last March when the Kings ended the Vees record-win streak in the final game before playoffs.
The Kings gave the 832 fans something to cheer about early when they staked out a 2-0 lead after the first period on a power-play goal by Liam Board followed by Chad Staley's first BCHL goal with 62 seconds left in the period.
Nik Renyard made his BCHL regular-season debut in the Vees' net and was tested in his first 20 minutes as the Spruce Kings fired 11 shots his way.
But it was Kings' veteran Kirk Thompson who stole the show at the other end of the ice, stopping 32 shots including 18 in the third period. The 20-year-old even picked up an assist when Tyson Witala secured the win for the Kings with a Hail Mary shot from the face-off dot in his own end that dropped into the centre of the Vees open net with 71 seconds to play.
"He's been really good this year so far," said Dupas about his third-year goaltender's 3-0 record.
The Vees outshot the home side 34-25.
After a scoreless second period, Penticton closed to within a goal at 2-1 midway through the final frame on Brad McClure's second goal of the season. McClure intercepted Mitch Eden's pass along the blueline to his Kings' defensive partner, went down the ice and beat Thompson to put the Vees on the board.
The Kings restored their two-goal lead with their second power-play goal of the night when defenceman Brad Ryan's point shot found its way through traffic and into the back of the net.
Wade Murphy pulled the Vees back within one at 3-2 just over a minute later and then a holding the stick infraction on the Kings Coltyn Hansen had the visitors in the driver's seat until Witala found the empty net. The 19-year-old Murphy finished the night in the dressing room after skating into the Kings Bryant Christian and delivering what the league terms a "dangerous hit." The hit sparked a fight between Kings left-winger Lyndon Martell and the Vees Sam Mellor but Christian appeared to be all right when he skated to the Kings' bench on his own.
In both weekend games, the Kings top forward line consisted of rookies Staley, Jeremiah Luedtke and affiliate player Justin Rai. Staley had two points against the Vees and set up Rai for his first BCHL goal Friday while Luedtke contributed an assist in each game.
"When they're out there they make things happen," said Dupas, adding the trio need to work on their defensive game to earn his trust to play late in close games or in key situations. "They're dynamic."
Royal rumblings: Lars Hepso of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs leads the league in scoring with 10 points (seven goals) while the Vees Murphy is second with seven points. Kings defenceman Ryan is fifth with six points (five assists). After four game with the Victoria Grizzlies former Spruce Kings Leo, Myles and Gerry Fitzgerald sit third, second and fifth in team scoring for a combined nine points. In his first BCHL action Friday, Kings goalie Liam McLeod stopped 20-of-24 shots Trail threw his way and played decent for a 16-year-old seeing his first action. McLeod played 63:17 minutes. The Spruce Kings are hosting a golf with "The Kings" event Sept. 23 at Alder Hills golf course where fans will have a chance to mingle with the 2012-13 members of the hockey club. After the golf a steak or chicken barbecue dinner will follow. Cost is $65 or for dinner only $25. Sign up is at the Kings office at the Coliseum. The Kings are back in action Saturday when they host the Merritt Centennials at the Coliseum, 7 p.m.
