A gutsy performance helped the Prince George Spruce Kings end the Penticton Vees consecutive win streak at 42 games.
Ty Swabb was spectacular in the Kings' net and Paul De Jersey had three assists to win the British Columbia Hockey League scoring title with 98 points in the 5-2 victory in front of a third consecutive sellout of 2,112 fans at the Coliseum.
Michael Colantone had two third period goals, including his 33rd of the season into the empty net and Myles Fitzgerald gave the Kings a 3-2 lead when he batted a lose puck into the Vees' net.
The win guarantees the Kings (33-21-2-4) third place in the Interior Conference and a first-round best-of-seven semifinal meeting with the Merritt Centennials (34-18-2-6), allowing them to avoid the Vees (54-4-0-2).
Not only did the Kings end the Vees record-setting streak, but with the Chilliwack Chiefs (32-22-2-3) 5-2 win over the Westside Warriors a loss by Prince George would've put them at risk of falling to fourth as the Chiefs end their season Sunday against the basement-dwelling Trail Smoke Eaters.
The Kings open up the playoffs Friday and Saturday in Merritt before returning to the Castle for games March 19 and 20.
Despite controlling most of the play in the opening period the Kings found themselves tied at 1-1 when the buzzer went. Jarryd Ten Vaanholt opened the scoring for Prince George when Vees goaltender Chad Katunar was unable to contain the rebound off a De Jersey wrist shot. Curtis Loik tied the game for Penticton with his 17th of the season before the midway point of the period.
The Kings doubled up the Vees on the shot clock 14-7 in the first period.
Bryce Gervais tied his Vees' teammate Mario Lucia for the league lead in goals with 42 when he picked up Steven Fogarty's rebound to give the visitors a 2-1 lead, but De Jersey picked up his second assist of the game on defenceman Ben Woodley's tying goal late in the second period.
Ty Swabb made several big saves early in the third period for the Kings and Myles Fitzgerald and Michael Colantone beat Katunar, giving the Kings a 4-2 advantage. De Jersey picked up his third assist on Colantone's power-play goal, moving him two points ahead of the Vees Joey Benik for the BCHL scoring lead.
Royal notes: The end of the Vees' 42 consecutive win streak also means the store managers at the Save On Foods in Penticton will be sporting a Prince George Spruce Kings' jersey at work all week after wagering with the four Prince George store managers that the Kings wouldn't end the streak.
BCHL summary:
Penticton Vees 2 Prince George Spruce Kings 5
First period:
1. Prince George Jarryd Ten Vaanholt 39 (De Jersey, Witala) 1:59
2. Penticton Curtis Loik 17 (Murphy) 8:46
Penalties: Urban PEN (hooking) 9:51.
Second period:
3. Penticton Bryce Gervais 42 (Fogarty, Benik) 2:20
4. Prince George Ben Woodley 5 (De Jersey, Colantone)14:16
Penalties: Esau PG (interference) 3:18; Beaulieu PEN (roughing)15:13; Johnston PEN (roughing after the whistle), Matthews PG (roughing) 17:43.
Third period:
5. Prince George Myles Fitzgerald 20 (Esau) 7:16
6. Prince George Michael Colantone 32 (Golightly, De Jersey) 9:41 pp
7. Prince George Michael Colantone 33 (Khaira) 19:40 en
Penalties: Bannor PEN (hooking) 8:17; Beaulieu PEN (roughing), Khaira PG (roughing) 9:41; Dancs PEN (fighting major, game misconduct), Landry PG (fighting major, game misconduct) 19:47; Urban PEN (roughing), Matthews PG (roughing) 19:56.
Shots:
Penticton 7 10 10 27
Prince George 14 11 11 36
Goaltenders: Penticton Chad Katunar (L 13-2-0); Prince George Ty Swabb (W 12-6-1)
Power plays: Penticton 0/1 Prince George 1/3
Attendance: 2,112
