It takes eight hours to drive there and the 745-kilometre return trip from Langley takes just as long.
If the Prince George Spruce Kings can pick up where they left off heading into the Christmas break and keep a modest won streak alive, they'll make that one-game B.C. Hockey League roadtrip to visit the Langley Rivermen on Friday well worthwhile.
The Kings haven't played since Dec. 22, when Nick Poisson scored two goals, including the winner 20 seconds into overtime, to cinch a 5-4 win in Langley. That came on the heels of a 3-2 victory the previous night in Surrey, which ended a six-game slide for Prince George in the month of December.
A win in regulation time on Friday would move the Spruce Kings (13-21-3-2-0, fifth in Mainland Division) within four points of the Rivermen (17-1-7-1-1-1, third in Mainland), who hold two games in hand over the Kings. So far in the season series the Kings have won all four games against Langley.
"We're just behind them in the standings and they're obviously important games for us," said Spruce Kings head coach Alex Evin. "They're a team that we play well against, so hopefully we're ready to go."
The defending BCHL champions have won more games on the road this season (seven) than they have at home (six).
"We won our last two and actually played pretty well on the road," said Evin. "I've liked how we've played on the road all year, I just think the break was good for us. We've had a lot of ups and downs here this first half and a lot of injuries and it was good for the guys to get some rest and we're excited to get back.
"I know the break will help guys like Finn Williams, Nick Poisson, Nolan Welsh, Preston Brodziak Nick Bochen and our goalie (Jett Alexander) the guys who play a lot of minutes. We've had some bumps and bruises and we're looking to finish strong."
Poisson missed five BCHL games playing for Canada West at the World Junior A Hockey Challenge early in December and the Kings learned this week he'll be added to the West team roster for the Canadian Junior Hockey League Prospects Game, Tuesday, Jan. 14 in Hamilton, Ont. Poisson, a Providence College recruit for next season, leads the Spruce Kings in scoring with 32 points in 34 games, including 13 goals.
"He just quietly goes about his business, he's a great leader for us, he plays so hard every game and I love to see guys like that get recognized, that put in a lot of time to their game and to their team," said Evin. "We're so proud of Nick, he's going to represent not just us but our league very well."
Poisson plays left wing on the Kings' top scoring line with centre Williams and right-winger Welsh.
The Kings are healthy, with the exception of RW Chong Min Lee, who has returned to his native South Korea to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery. LW Wil Kushniryk is back in the WHL with the Calgary Hitmen indefinitely and won't be available to the Kings this weekend.
The Spruce Kings return to Rolling Mix Concrete Arena next weekend for a two-game set against the Surrey Eagles. The Eagles (14-17-2-4-0) head into the weekend three points ahead of Prince George.
After Friday's game, the Kings will have just 18 games left in the regular season, including two games against Langley in Kitimat, Feb. 15-16.
"We play Surrey and Langley a lot in the second half and we really like our schedule to end the year," said Evin. "Obviously we have to take care of our own business and control what we can control."
