Good goaltending can take a hockey team a long way into the playoffs and right now the Prince George Spruce Kings and getting what they need from their designated puckstoppers.
Aaron Trotter was under siege for much of the third period Friday night in Salmon Arm and despite getting outshot 21-6, the 20-year-old goalie allowed only one goal to preserve a 3-1 Spruce Kings’ victory over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
Kilian McGregor-Bennett staked the Kings a 1-0 lead late in the first period and Luc Laylin added to the total on a Prince George power play 16 minutes into the second period.
The Silverbacks reduced the deficit, 11:22 into the third period, when Zack Smith scored at even strength, but they were unable to get the equalizer with goalie Owen Say on the bench. With 1:20 left, Kings captain Kolton Cousins scored into an empty net to seal the win.
The Silverbacks outshot the Kings 37-27.
Trotter, a St. Thomas University recruit for next season, improved his record to 17-7-3. His 2.02 goals-against average is tied with that of Pentcton Vees goalie Kaeden Lane. Spruce Kings goalie Jordan Fairlie leads the league with a 1.83 average.
Friday’s win for Prince George was the third in four games this season against the Silverbacks. Of their seven regulation losses, three have been handed to them by the Spruce Kings.
The Kings (24-9-3-6-0, .679 winning percentage) remain third in the Interior Conference, seven points back of the second-place Silverbacks (30-7-3-1-0, .780).
Prince George will take on the B.C. Hockey League-leading Penticton Vees Saturday in Penticton. The Vees (32-6-0-2-0, .825) beat the West Kelowna Warriors 3-1 Friday.
The Kings end their three-game roadtrip Monday afternoon in Vernon against the Vipers.
