Playing in the shadow of their older brothers, it was like old times again Saturday night at the Prince George Coliseum for Huisman and deVries -- the Smithers connection.
Only this time, they weren't skating for the Prince George Spruce Kings.
Daryl deVries and Derek Huisman, linemates since they were six-year-old tykes in Smithers, rekindled their family traditions on B.C. Hockey League ice as members of the Quesnel Millionaires, and their efforts to propel the Mills to victory proved deadly to the Spruce Kings.
Down 3-0 in the second period, the Mills responded with a stirring comeback and beat the Kings 4-3 in overtime, turning sour what began as an opening-night celebration for Kings fans among the announced crowd of 1,131.
With 3:33 gone in overtime, Huisman took a puck Sam Higgins dug out of the corner and let go a low screened shot that found the net behind Ryan Benitez, a play that deVries started.
"That was a good way to start the season, it's going to be a nice bus ride home," said Huisman, the 18-year-old brother of Darcy, who played defence for the Kings in 2006-07. "It feels good to beat the Spruce Kings."
Huisman and deVries ranked fourth and fifth respectively in team scoring last year for the Sicamous Eagles of the KIJHL. "We were on the same line in Sicamous and it's nice to be on the same line here," Huisman said.
Clayton Chess scored two goals, including the equalizer 5:22 into the third period, and deVries did his part to collect his first BCHL goal, picking the corner high with a quick shot from the side of the net.
DeVries, 18, is the brother of Ryan, the former Kings captain, who played 3 1/2 seasons in Prince George from 2004-2007.
See Monday's Citizen for more.
