Chad Staley's late goal in the second period turned out to be the game-winner in the Prince George Spruce Kings 3-2 win against the Coquitlam Express Friday night.
It was the first of three B.C. Hockey League games on the road for the Kings, who snapped a short two-game losing streak with the victory.
It was the ninth meeting between the two Mainland Division rivals and it could be a preview of the first round of the playoffs.
With Friday's win, Prince George has earned 15 points against the Express with seven wins and one overtime loss.
The Spruce Kings improve to to 31-18-3-2 and 67 points to remain in second place in the division. The Express are right behind them in third at 26-24-2-3 and 57 points.
Kings rookie defenceman Stephen Penner scored his first goal of the season when his shot from the point deflected off a Coquitlam defender's skate and into the net to open the scoring in the middle of the first period.
Brent Lashuk tipped a shot from the high slot from Mitch Eden on the powerplay to make it 2-0 for Prince George late in the first period.
Coquitlam answered on a shot from Bo Pieper on a goalmouth scramble at the 14:21-mark of the second period.
With his family in the stands, Staley restored the Kings two-goal lead when he ripped a shot underneath the cross bar with 36 seconds left in the second period.
Marc Biega narrowed the lead four minutes into the third when he tipped in a hard shot from Canon Pieper.
Coquitlam fired 14 shots at Prince George netminder Alex Murray in the third period, but couldn't score the equalizer.
They had one last gasp when Kings forward Jeremiah Luedtke was sent to the penalty box on minor penalty for interference with 10 seconds left in the game.
The Express outshot Prince George 34-26.
Prince George heads further west into Fraser Valley tonight for a 7 p.m. tilt against the Chilliwack Chiefs. Their road trip wraps up Sunday in a 2 p.m. matinee in Langley against the Rivermen.
The Rivermen (35-13-2-5) beat the Chillwack Chiefs 8-4 Friday night to remain atop the Mainland Division with 75 points.
With only two games left in the regular season, it's more than likely Prince George will host Coquitlam in games 1 and 2 on March 4 and 5 at the Coliseum.
