The Prince George Spruce Kings are in the Fraser Valley tonight as they embark on a four-game road trip in five days, their first major jaunt of the young B.C. Hockey League season.
First stop? Their Mainland Division rivals in the form of the Chilliwack Chiefs, with whom they share the division lead. The Chiefs are 6-1-0-1 with 13 points while Prince George sports a 6-2-0-1 record with 13 points.
Going into the road trip, the Kings are coming off a 4-3 overtime victory Friday at home against the Langley Rivermen, a win that snapped a two-game losing spell.
So far, the season series between Prince George and Chilliwack is tied a 1-1.
The squads last met Oct. 5 at the Coliseum, where the Chiefs edged the Kings 2-1 in overtime. That was after a 6-4 victory the night before by Prince George.
After tonight's game, the Kings head north to the Sunshine Coast to take on the Powell River Kings on Friday in their first meeting of the season. Powell River was 3-4 going into its game against the Cowichan Valley Capitals Tuesday night.
On Saturday Prince George is in Nanaimo for a contest against the Clippers, who lead the Island Division at 6-3. The Kings defeated the Clippers 6-4 on Sept. 20 at the season-opening BCHL Showcase in Chilliwack.
Prince George wraps up the road trip Sunday in a matinee tilt against the 4-4 Alberni Valley Bulldogs. The squads also met at the BCHL Showcase, where the Kings came away with a 6-5 victory on Sept. 21.
The Spruce Kings' offence continues to be led by their veteran top line of Justin Rai, Chad Staley and Jeremiah Luedtke.
The 20-year-old Rai, who scored a goal in Saturday's victory, sits second overall in league scoring with nine goals and six assists in nine games.
His 20-year-old centreman and team captain Staley (who scored Saturday's OT winner as part of a two-goal night) is second in team scoring with six goals and six assists, followed by Luedtke with three goals and nine assists.
Prince George returns home to the Coliseum next week to host the Penticton Vees Oct. 23, followed by the Trail Smoke Eaters Oct. 25 and the Powell River Kings Oct. 26.
