The Prince George Spruce Kings have the chance to give themselves the gift of first place.
With the Christmas break looming, the Kings have games tonight in Surrey and Friday in Chilliwack. If they earn the maximum four points, they'll take over top spot in the B.C. Hockey League's Mainland Division.
"Two big games and hopefully we can win them both and jump into first place," said Spruce Kings assistant coach Colton Buffie. "It would really put a stamp on what we've done here in the first half of the season and give these guys something to go home with and have a good Christmas break."
Heading into tonight's clash with the Eagles, the Kings (20-10-2-2) are four points behind the division-leading Langley Rivermen (22-11-1-3). Wins against the Eagles and Chiefs would result in a first-place tie between Prince George and Langley but the Kings would be in first place because of having played one fewer game.
Surrey (15-19-1-0) and Chilliwack (7-25-1-2) are the bottom two teams in the division, so winning both games is a realistic goal for the Spruce Kings. Against the Eagles this season, the Kings have gone 2-2-1 to date. Against the Chiefs, meanwhile, they have won four of five, the only loss a 2-1 overtime setback in September.
The Kings and Chiefs played each other Sunday and Monday in Prince George and the Kings won both nights, 4-1 and 8-5. The two-day break between games and the road trip south could lead to some fatigue but, before leaving, Buffie said that wouldn't be a concern.
"A lot of teams might use that as an excuse but we're used to it," he said. "Traveling a lot as we did early on really got these guys prepared for what it's like being on the road. And they're a real tight group. I haven't seen a group this close for a long time and they kind of enjoy their time on the bus together."
The Kings weren't entirely pleased with the way they played in Monday's goalfest against the Chiefs and want to re-establish their tighter defensive style in these last two contests of 2013.
"We just have to play our game -- get back to doing the little things that make us successful defensively," Buffie said. "We're a defence-first team and I think we're a better team when we win games 3-1 than being able to win games 8-6 or 8-5."
After Friday's game, the Kings won't play again until Jan. 3 in Powell River.
