It appears some extra shut-eye helped the Prince George Spruce Kings earn a 5-4 victory against the host Alberni Valley Bulldogs Sunday.
After arriving late Saturday night from Nanaimo, the Kings had a chance to sleep in prior to their B.C. Hockey League afternoon tilt against the Bulldogs.
The victory wrapped up a four-game road trip by the Kings where they went an even .500 after they suffered a 5-1 loss to the Nanaimo Clippers Saturday night.
Five different Spruce Kings lit the lamp Sunday afternoon, with forward Brent Lashuk scoring the eventual winner midway through the third period on an assist from Taylor Allan.
Prince George returns home with an 8-4-0-1 record with 17 points, good for second place in the Mainland Division, two back of the division-leading Chilliwack Chiefs (9-1-0-1).
The 6-5 Bulldogs remain in second place in the Island Division with 12 points, six points behind the Clippers, who lead the Island Division at 9-3.
Sunday, the game was tied 1-1 after the first period thanks to a Kings goal from Rider Stoglin.
The Kings built a 3-2 lead in the second period, as forwards Jake LeBrun (on the power play) and Cooper Leitch found the back of the net.
In the third, Jeremiah Luedtke scored, set up on the power play by his regular linemates Chad Staley and Justin Rai to break a 3-3 tie.
Lashuk's goal came at the 8:28-minute mark, and the Bulldogs made it interesting a few minutes later when Chris Schutz tallied his second of the game with the man-advantage to come within a goal.
But Prince George netminder Alex Brooks-Potts shut the door, stopping 19 of 21 shots the Bulldogs fired on him in the third period.
It was Brooks-Potts' third win of the season, while his counterpart Billy Christopoulos (5-3) suffered his third loss.
The Kings were outshot 43-36 during the game.
LeBrun, who also picked up an assist on Stoglin's goal, was named the game's first star, while Stoglin, who had an assist on Leitch's goal, was named the third star.
Saturday night in Nanaimo, the Kings dropped a 5-1 decision to the Clippers after they were outshot 59-20.
Nanaimo skated out to a 4-0 lead, but Lashuk scored Prince George's lone goal on the power play with assists from Luedtke and Raymond Grewal.
The Spruce Kings returned home early this morning and will have only a couple of days to prepare to host the 10-1 Penticton Vees on Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Coliseum. The Vees lead the Interior Division.
The Trail Smoke Eaters visit the Coliseum Saturday (7 p.m.) and the Powell River Kings come calling on Sunday at 3 p.m.
