A visit from the B.C. Hockey League's worst team was just what the Prince George Spruce Kings needed to snap a five-game losing streak.
The Spruce Kings (13-9-1-5) earned a 3-1 win over the Cowichan Valley Capitals (7-15-0-2) in front of 1,085 fans at the Coliseum on Friday night. It's the first win for the Spruce Kings on their seven-game home stand where they had posted an 0-3-0-1 prior to the win over the Island division's weakest link. The loss was the third straight for the Capitals.
Prince George pulled a point ahead of the Coquitlam Express (15-12-1) in the Mainland division as the two teams prepare for battle in a weekend doubleheader Saturday and Sunday.
It was a scoreless first period as both teams were tentative and unwilling to take many chances as is usually the case when a team is struggling.
Jeremiah Luedtke opened the scoring early in the second period for the Spruce Kings when he buried the puck behind Capitals goalie Derek Dun off an offensive zone face off. Chad Staley picked up the lone assist as the Kings took a 1-0 lead.
The Kings goal, at 1:26 of the middle period, marked the first time the team lit the red lamp since the 2:35 mark of the third period Nov. 24 in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Surrey Eagles. The goal-less drought lasted 158 minutes and 51 seconds including back-to-back shutouts last week to the Chilliwack Chiefs (6-0 and 2-0).
The Spruce Kings struggling power-play unit put the home team up 2-0 during a two-man advantage when Tanner Fjellstrom, parked at the side of the crease, buried his second goal of the season on a rebound. Tyson Witala and Karan Toor picked up the assists.
Prince George out played the visitors from Vancouver Island during the second frame, holding a 12-5 edge in shots on goal but the Capitals were able to get out of the period trailing only by one when Terrace native Luke Gordon's bullet shot from inside the right circle beat Kings goalie Kirk Thompson glove side to make it 2-1.
Coltyn Hansen iced the win for the Spruce Kings with his ninth goal of the season, scored into the empty net with less than a minute left to play.
The Spruce Kings out shot their opponent 35-23.
Jace Hennig made his Spruce Kings debut after missing four games due to injury since being acquired from the Express in a trade, while forward Justin Rai returned to the Prince George lineup after missing the last month with post-concussion syndrome.
Rai reunited with linemates Staley and Luedtke and the trio picked up right where they left off a month ago, creating a buzz around the opposition net every shift they took.
When the Spruce Kings host the Express tonight, 7:30 p.m., fans are encouraged to bring new socks, gloves and toques wrapped in a plastic bag for the annual drop the gloves and sock it to 'em night where the first Kings' goal will unleash a flurry of bags being thrown onto the ice. The winter items will be distributed to the homeless by the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
British Columbia Hockey League
at Prince George Coliseum
Friday, Dec. 7, 2012
Cowichan Valley Capitals 1 Prince George Spruce Kings 3
First period:
No scoring.
Penalties: Cathers CV (roughing) 4:00; Hennig PG (kneeing) 8:09; Burns CV (roughing) 18:32.
Second period:
1. Prince George Jeremiah Luedtke 4 (Staley) 1:26
2. Prince George Tanner Fjellstrom 2 (Witala, Toor) 7:31 pp
3. Cowichan Valley Luke Gordon 5 (Paterson, Mueller) 14:48
Penalties: Paterson CV (interference) 5:46; Neher CV (slashing) 6:50; Toor PG (roughing) 9:09.
Third period:
4. Prince George Coltyn Hansen 9 (Esau) 19:05 en
Penalties: Paterson CV (tripping) 7:07; Hansen PG (tripping) 7:33; Paterson CV (boarding) 10:29.
Cowichan Valley 9 5 9 23
Prince George 11 12 12 35
Goaltenders: Cowichan Valley Derek Dun (W/L 6-14-0); Prince George Kirk Thompson (W/L 11-10-1)
Power plays: Cowichan Valley 0/3 Prince George 1/6
Attendance: 1,085
