For the first time this B.C. Hockey League season, the Prince George Spruce Kings came out on the wrong end of the score.
On Thursday afternoon in Chilliwack, which is hosting the annual BCHL Showcase, the Kings fell 4-0 to the West Kelowna Warriors. With the result, Prince George slipped to 4-1-0-0 and West Kelowna improved to 2-3-0-0. The Spruce Kings were outshot 36-21, including 15-1 in a scoreless third period.
The Warriors led 1-0 after the first period on a goal by Mike Hardman and broke the game open with three in the middle frame. Former Cariboo Cougars captain Mason Richey scored 3:37 into the second period and that was followed quickly by another goal from Hardman (assisted by ex-Cariboo Cat Chase Dubois). West Kelowna's Max Bulawka, on a power play, also found the back of the Prince George net at 11:20 of the second.
Bradley Cooper started in net for the Spruce Kings but was pulled after Hardman's second goal and replaced by Logan Neaton, who surrendered the goal to Bulawka but was perfect during the busy third period.
Connor Hopkins got the shutout for the Warriors and was named first star of the game.
The Warriors went 1-for-4 with the man advantage, while the the Kings were scoreless on one opportunity.
The Spruce Kings will be back on the ice in Chilliwack at 4 p.m. today, with the Penticton Vees as the opponent. The Vees (2-2-0-0) beat the Surrey Eagles (0-5-0-0) by a 4-1 count on Thursday.
