The P.G. connection was in fine form Friday night for the Prince George Spruce Kings.
Corey Cunningham and Craig MacDonald, the two local products in the Kings' lineup, each fired daggers that struck at the heart of the visiting Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
Cunningham's power-play goal late in the first period and MacDonald's even-strength marker 4:53 into the third period - his first goal of the season - proved the difference in a 2-1 victory over the Bulldogs, with a crowd of 907 watching at Rolling Mix Concrete Arena.
The Kings poured 45 shots at Bulldogs' goalie John Hawthorne. Logan Neaton had a relatively easy night by comparison, blocking 18 of 19 shots.
Grayson Valente scored for the Bulldogs with 19 seconds left in the second period.
The win allowed the Kings (13-6-0-1) to keep pace with their BCHL Mainland Division rivals, the league-leading Chilliwack Chiefs and second-overall Coquitlam Express.
Chilliwack (16-6-0-0) beat the Langley Rivermen 3-2 Friday in Langley to remain five points ahead of the Spruce Kings, while Coquitlam (14-6-1-0) scored a 4-1 win on home ice over Vernon. The Express is two points ahead of Prince George.
The Spruce Kings host the Penticton Vees tonight (7 p.m.). The Vees (9-6-0-2, fourth in Interior Division) won 4-3 Friday in Merritt.
