Tavin Grant was a workhorse in net Friday for the Prince George Spruce Kings and his teammates responded by plowing their way to a 3-1 win over the host Merritt Centennials.
The 18-year-old Grant stopped 36 of 37 shots to notch his 13th B.C. Hockey League victory of the season.
Ben Brar scored two goals, including an empty-netter to pace the Spruce Kings to their 20th victory, snapping a four-game losing streak. Chong Hyun Lee notched the game-winning goal 6:54 into the third period, blasting in a puck that had bounced out to him off the backboard behind Merritt goalie Colten Lancaster.
After a scoreless first period, Brar found the net, 4:19 into the second period on a Prince George power play, tipping in a Brett Mennear shot. The Cents tied it late in the period, an even-strength goal at 18:50 from Nick Fidanza. Mennear also drew an assist on Brar's empty-net goal.
The Spruce Kings kept Lancaster busy, forcing him to make 34 saves. Merritt outshot the Kings 37-36.
The win brought the Spruce Kings (20-20-3-2, fourth in Mainland Division) back to the .500 mark. Prince George is 10 points back of the Langley Rivermen (24-15-5-2), who play Coquitlam tonight in Langley. The Kings hold one game in hand over the Rivermen. Merritt (18-19-8-2) remains fourth in the Interior Division.
The Spruce Kings move on to Salmon Arm to play the Silverbacks tonight (7 p.m.) then travel to Vernon to face the Vipers (2 p.m. start).
Friday night in Vernon, Prince George minor hockey product Steven Jandric scored two goals, including the game-winner 3:15 into the second period, to help the Vipers defeat the Penticton Vees 3-1. The second-place Vipers are now nine points behind the Interior Divison-leading Vees.
Jandric, 19, an Alaska-Fairbanks college recruit for 2017-18, leads the Vipers with 21 goals and 41 points.
