The Prince George Spruce Kings’ point streak is toast.
The Vernon Vipers provided the venom that stopped the Kings’ remarkable 20-game stretch of gaining at least a point in each of those 20 games leading up to Monday’s matinee in Vernon.
Matthew Culling did the damage, scoring both Vipers goals in a 2-1 victory.
His second of the game, 1:24 into the second period, came right after Prince George power play ended.
The Kings came on strong in the third period, outshooting Vernon 10-2, but were unable to get the puck behind goalie Roan Clarke, who made 29 saves for the victory.
John Herrington scored for the Kings on a power play, his 20th of the season, six minutes into the game, after Culling beat Jordan Fairlie to open the scoring at the 3:36 mark.
The Kings outshot Vernon 30-20.
The win improved the Vipers’ sixth-place record to 20-16-4-3-0,. 547 winning percentage.
The Spruce Kings’ record dropped to 25-10-3-6-0, a . 670 winning percentage. They remain third overall in the league and third in the Interior Conference, nine points behind the Penticton Vees and five back of the second-place Salmon Arm Silverbacks.
The Kings’ point streak began Dec. 30 in Wenatchee with a shootout loss to the Wild. Until Monday, Prince George hadn’t lost in regulation time since Dec. 18. That was another 2-1 loss in Vernon.
The Spruce Kings began their weekend roadtrip with a 3-1 win Friday over the Silverbacks, then defeated the first-overall Vees 3-2 Saturday in Penticton.
The Kings won’t get much time to rest. They host the West Kelowna Warriors Wednesday night at Rolling Mix Concrete Arena. Game time is 7 p.m.
