Having started their weekend with losses in Powell River and Alberni Valley, the Prince George Spruce Kings were hoping to salvage victory on the ice in Victoria Sunday afternoon to put a positive spin on their boat-ride back to the Lower Mainland.
But there was no fairy-tale finish to discuss on the ferry, only a nightmarish ending to digest after a 7-3 loss to the Victoria Grizzlies which wrapped up the Spruce Kings' three-game B.C. Hockey League roadtrip.
Grizzlies defenceman Jake Stevens took on the role as the antagonist, lighting up the Spruce Kings' net with two goals and two assists. Dante Hahn scored twice and Tyler Welsh, PJ Conlon and Keyvan Mokhtari each fired singles for the Grizzlies. Hahn's first goal, 1:18 into the third period, prompted a goaltending change for the Spruce Kings. Liam McCloskey took a seat, replaced by Sam Tanguay.
Jake LeBrun led the way for the Spruce Kings with two goals. Brian Basilico capped the scoring for Prince George late with a shorthanded goal. Mitchel Benson made 31 stops for the Grizzlies, who were outshot 34-27.
The win improved Victoria's record to 7-12-0-2. The Spruce Kings (5-14-0-2) did manage to secure a point for their 4-3 overtime loss Saturday night in Port Alberni. Josh Adkins notched the winner for the Bulldogs just 12 seconds into OT, the 39th shot McCloskey faced. Basilico forced overtime when he tied the game 11:47 into the third period.
Eric Margo, Paul Meyer and Quinn Syrydiuk were the other Bulldog scorers. LeBrun scored on a Prince George power play early in the second period and Braiden Epp gave them a brief lead less than a minute later. Meyer tied it 2-2 on a Bulldogs' power play with four minutes in the period.
The Bulldogs outshot the Spruce Kings 39-24.
Prince George began the trip with 6-2 loss Friday to the Powell River Kings. The Spruce Kings return to the road this weekend with games in Wenatchee, Chilliwack and Surrey.
