In a rare Wednesday game at Kopar Memorial Arena, the Prince George Spruce Kings got back into the B.C. Hockey League win column, beating the Coquitlam Express 5-4.
The first period was nothing but a parade to the penalty box for both teams. Prince George was assessed two penalties in the first 20 minutes, and Coquitlam was given four. Neither team could capitalize with the extra attacker.
Coquitlam struck first in the second period. Noah Dziver scored his first goal of the season, beating Spruce Kings goalie Marcus Ouellet on the blocker side.
Moments after that, on a 2-on-1 play set up by Brogan McNeil, Spruce Kings forward Skogen Schrott found his winger Kazumo Sasaki, who buried his third goal of the season.
Ten minutes later, Sasaki slung a pass to Linden Makow, who let a quick shot go, beating Express goaltender Adam Manji on the power-play.
Prince George started fast in period three. Thirteen seconds into the final frame, Kilian McGregor-Bennett found a rebound in the slot and ripped a shot past Manji for his seventh goal of the season.
The Spruce Kings went up 4-1 early in the third period after Makow added his second of the game. Lucas Veilleux also got on the board for Prince George, scoring his second of the season.
The Express scored three times in final five minutes to make it close. However, it wasn't enough as the Spruce Kings got their fifth win of the season.
Wednesday game summary
Prince George 5 Coquitlam 4
Scoring
Prince George: K. Sasaki (3), L. Makow (4), K. McGregor-Bennett (7), L. Makow (5), L. Veileux (5)
Coquitlam: N. Dziver (1), D. Garzone (4), Joseph Odyniec (7), D. Garzone (5)
Goaltending
Marcus Ouellet (W) 60:00 (4 GA 38 saves)
Adam Manji (L) 57:18 (5 GA 27 saves)
Power-play
Prince George: 1/7
Coquitlam: 1/5
Next game: The Spruce Kings play Friday in Penticton against the Vees, then head to Merritt to play the Centennials on Saturday.
