On Drop The Gloves and Sock It To 'Em night, the Prince George Spruce Kings were unable to solve the mystery of the Merritt Centennials, falling 4-3.
Paul De Jersey unleashed the mitts, tuques and socks when he found the back of the net late in the first period for his 24th goal of the season, giving the Kings a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes. Jujhar Khaira had his first of two assists on De Jersey's goal.
But the power play was the difference as the Kings (12-12-1-3) could only capitalize on one of six opportunities, including a four-minute span in the second period on back-to-back Merritt minors.
In seven games between the Interior Conference rivals the Kings are 2-4-1-0.
The Centennials (16-8-2-4) outscored the home side 2-1 in the middle frame as the teams went into the second intermission tied 2-2. Brandon Bruce and Jakob Reichert scored for Merritt, while Michael Colantone deflected a point shot by defenceman Chase Golightly during a Kings' power play for his 14th goal. Golightly had two assists in the game.
It only took the Centennials 21 seconds to regain their advantage in Friday's British Columbia Hockey League game after Tyson Witala brought the 805 fans to their feet at The Coliseum on a nifty play where he used teammate Michael Betz as a decoy before tying the game at 3-3 in the third period. Evan Stack potted the winner at 9:41 after Witala tied the game.
The Centennials had a pair of power-play goals, including Brandon Pfeil's only 24 seconds into the final period, giving the visitors a 3-2 lead. The Kings had two potential goals waved off in the final minute, including one at the final buzzer that was ruled as kicked in with a skate.
Ty Swabb took the loss for the Kings, evening his record at 1-1 since being acquired from the AJHL's St. Albert Steel last week.
ROYAL MUSINGS: Jeff Earnest was granted his release from the Kings' organization Friday in order to pursue an opportunity to play with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs of the North American Hockey League. Earnest returned to the Kings' lineup in mid-November after recovering for a broken jaw, picking up three points.
In three seasons with the Spruce Kings, Earnest played 117 games, collecting 19 goals, 51 points and 118 penalty minutes.
The Kings will become road warriors for the next six games, beginning tonight in West Kelowna against the Westside Warriors (10-14-0-5) and Sunday (3 p.m.) in Salmon Arm versus the Silverbacks (10-13-0-5).
