The Prince George Spruce Kings are fighting for their playoff lives tonight.
They're in a must-win situation when they face off against the Coquitlam Express at the Coliseum (7 p.m.) in Game 5 of a best-of-seven B.C. Hockey League Mainland Division semifinal series.
Prince George has to win tonight in order to extend their post-season.
Express took a commanding 3-1 series lead after they doubled up the Kings 6-3 Saturday night in Coquitlam.
Prince George was shut out 2-0 in Game 3 Friday in Coquitlam.
On Saturday, Jace Henning scored the winner with one second left on the clock in the second period to break a 3-3 tie. They went on to add two more in the final 20 minutes to secure the win.
Coquitlam scored three short-handed goals and held the edge in shots, 29-28.
Gordie Defiel earned his third-straight playoff win in net for the Express, while Alex Murray suffered the loss between the pipes for the Spruce Kings.
Trailing 3-1 early in the third period, Jeremiah Luedtke (power play) and Justin Rai scored to even the game for Prince George.
Coquitlam led 2-1 in the first period on goals from Ryan Rosenthal and Zach Hodder. Rai answered for the Kings.
The series between the two rivals has cost the Spruce Kings two of its key players.
Prince George captain Bryant Christian took a puck in the mouth in Game 1 at home on March 4 and did not make the trip to the Lower Mainland this weekend. Defenceman Karan Toor suffered a lower-body injury in Game 2 on March 5.
The team was already without key forward Brent Lashuk who blew out his knee on the last weekend of the regular season.
If the Kings win tonight, Game 6 is Tuesday in Coquitlam. The two teams will return to Prince George on Wednesday for Game 7, if necessary.
The winner of this series will face the winner between the Langley Rivermen and Surrey Eagles.
That series is knotted at 2-2 after Surrey beat Langley 7-3 in Game 4. Game 5 is tonight in Langley.
