Kirk Thompson gave them a chance and the Prince George Spruce Kings took it, scoring two third-period goals in a 2-1 win over the Coquitlam Express at the Poirier Sports and Leisure Centre on Saturday night.
The win moved the Kings (9-4-1-1) into a first-place tie in the Mainland division of the BCHL with the Chilliwack Chiefs (9-3-1-1) and three points ahead of the Express (8-4-1).
Thompson showed the form that nabbed him player of the week honours last week, stopping 24 shots, including 13 in the opening frame. Beau Orser's unassisted goal was the only one to beat the 20-year-old.
With their goaltender keeping them within striking range the Kings dominated the final 40 minutes firing 24 of their 33 shots on Express goalie Cole Huggins, staying patient until they were able to beat him early in the third period.
Matthew Bissett, a Pitt Meadows native playing his first game as a King, tied the game at 1-1 on a feed from Coltyn Hansen. Cam Lawson found the twine behind Huggins with 79 seconds remaining in regulation for this sixth goal of the season to give the Kings the win.
There won't be a first-place showdown between the Kings and Chiefs until the end of November when the former Quesnel Millionaires' franchise visits Prince George for a pair of games, Nov. 29-30.
The Kings put their four-game win streak on the line this weekend with a pair of games at the Coliseum versus the Alberni Valley Bulldogs (7-6-0-3), Friday, 7 p.m., and the West Kelowna Warriors (8-2-0-3), Saturday, 7 p.m.
