This is it for the Prince George Spruce Kings, at least until the playoffs begin.
They've reached the end of the regular-season trail which will take them to Chilliwack the next two nights to play the Chiefs, followed by a Sunday afternoon game in Langley against the Rivermen.
Coming off losses in Surrey and Coquitlam, the Spruce Kings emerged from the weekend as Mainland Division champions, having wrapped up their first-ever B.C. Hockey League banner.
That, they hope, is just the start of good things to come in March.
The Kings want to go into the postseason firing on all cylinders and general manager Mike Hawes has no reason to doubt his team will play more up to its capabilities in what will be a tough three-game weekend away from the comforts of home, where they've been nearly unbeatable.
"Last weekend wasn't quite what we wanted but let's not forget that we're dealing with young men here who had maybe a bit of a letdown after they realized they had won the division championship," said Hawes. "It's an opportunity this weekend for us to get back on the horse and back to playing the type of hockey need to be playing. I know (coaches) Adam (Maglio) and Alex (Evin) want the team to be peaking as we head into the playoffs."
The Spruce Kings (30-17-4-4) are 10 points ahead of the fourth-place Chiefs (26-24-3-3), who are tied in points with the Surrey Eagles (25-22-6-2), two points behind the second-place Rivermen (24-19-10-2). Prince George, Langley and Surrey have three games left and Chilliwack is down to its last two. There could be plenty of jostling to sort out who finishes fourth and will be coming north to play the Kings for the first round of playoffs next Friday.
The Island Division race is one to watch this weekend. Three teams - Powell River, Victoria and Nanaimo - are tied for first, each with 68 points. The Powell River Kings (29-16-6-4) are in the best position to win the regular-season crown. They rank first and have three games left, while Victoria has two left and Nanaimo has just one remaining.
In the Interior, the first-overall Penticton Vees (39-12-2-3) have all but wrapped up the season title. They're four points ahead of the second-place Wenatchee Wild. Each has two games left.
