Close, but no cigar.
The Prince George Spruce Kings gave the smoking-hot Wenatchee Wild and their 3,044 fans at Town Toyota Centre in Wenatchee more than they bargained for, but the Kings still ended up losing 2-1 in B.C. Hockey League action Friday night.
Logan Milliken's even-strength goal 19:26 into the second period was the clincher for the Wild. That came after Matthew Baker had evened the score on a Wild power play 11 minutes into the period. Jake LeBrun was the lone Spruce Kings goalscorer, connecting on a Prince George power play 2:48 into the game.
Chase Perry, a Detroit Red Wings fifth-round draft pick in 2015, made 18 saves for the win. Sam Tanguay took the loss in the Prince George nets, stopping 25 of 27 shots.
The win improved Wenatchee's record to 14-5-2-2 and the Wild held on to its share of first place in the Mainland Division. The Spruce Kings, who have lost four in a row, dropped to 5-15-0-2.
The Kings continue their roadtrip tonight against the Chiefs in Chilliwack, then play the Eagles Sunday afternoon in Surrey. Those teams met Friday night in Surrey.
The Chiefs went into that game having won seven straight games and they were tied with the Wild for first in the Mainland Division heading into Friday's games, each with 29 points. The last overall Eagles were trying to end a nine-game losing streak.
Darren Hards, a 17-year-old Prince George minor hockey product who played last season for the Cariboo Cougars major midget squad, now skates for Surrey and through 19 BCHL games he had four goals seven points and 22 penalty minutes.
The Eagles won't be coming to Prince George until the last month of the regular season. They play the Spruce Kings at the Coliseum Feb. 5 and 6 and close out the regular season with games at the Coliseum Feb. 27 and 28.
Just three of the 12 scheduled games for the Spruce Kings this month are at home. They host West Kelowna on Wednesday, Nov. 18, then face Salmon Arm on Saturday, Nov. 21 and Powell River the following day.
