The Prince George Spruce Kings did the expected Wednesday night in Merritt.
They took on the win-starved Merritt Centennials and walked off with a 6-0 victory.
Aaron Trotter made 23 saves for his second shutout of the season and five Kings players lit the goal-scoring lamp.
John Herrington led the way with two goals, his 18th and 19th of the season, both in the third period. Evan Fedele scored his first career B.C. Hockey League goal late in the first period to put the Kings ahead 2-0, after Rowan Miller had opened the scoring.
Herrington took a shot in the second period that ricocheted off the body of teammate Nick Rheaume. It was Rheaume’s team-leading 21st goal of the season.
With a minute left in the third period, Ty Gagno capped the scoring with his seventh goal of 2021-22.
The Kings outshot the Cents 45-23.
Prince George went 2-for-6 on the power play. The Cents were scoreless in five opportunities.
The win solidified the Spruce Kings’ hold on third place in the Interior Division, while the Cents (2-30-1-1-0 remain last in the conference. The Kings (20-9-3-4-0, .653 winning percentage) are now three points ahead of the fourth-place West Kelowna Warriors (22-13-0-0-0, .629).
Prince George visits West Kelowna on Friday, then returns to Merritt for are rematch with the Cents on Saturday.
The Spruce Kings will travel to Salmon Arm for a game against the top-ranked Silvertips on Wednesday, before returning to Rolling Mix Concrete Arena for a weekend series against the Wenatchee Wild.
