Chong Min Lee's even-strength goal 2:48 into the third period was the difference-maker for the Prince George Spruce Kings at the B.C. Hockey League Showcase in Penticton.
That gave the Kings a 3-2 lead and they held it the rest of the game to seal the win against the West Kelowna Warriors.
Sixteen-year-old rookie Finlay Williams connected with Mason Waite and Corey Cunningham on a power-play goal with 28 seconds left in the second period to tie it up 2-2 heading into the second intermission. For Waite, it was his second point since arriving in a trade two weeks ago from the Lloydminster Bobcats.
Kings forward Preston Brodziak opened the scoring with the only goal of the first period. Lucas Cullen and Prince George minor hockey product Brandon Dent, on a Warriors' power play, gave West Kelowna the lead in the second period. For Dent, it was his fifth goal of the season.
Jett Alexander made 19 saves in net for the Kings, who outshot their opponents 28-21.
"We played a great first period and a great third period and it was really nice we found a way to win the hockey game, we were probably the better hockey team overall," said Kings head coach Alex Evin.
The win evened the Spruce Kings' record to 4-4-2-0 (third in Mainland Division). The Warriors (1-9-2-0) remained seventh in the Interior Division.
"It's not easy to play a team like that, they're probably feeling they're better than their record," said Evin. "They were hungry for a win and it was a tough game. They took it to us in the second period but it was nice to see we pushed back at the end of the period."
On defence the injury-plagued Kings dressed three junior rookies - Amran Bhabra, Colton Cameron and affiliate player Aiden Reeves, on loan from the Cariboo Cougars major midget team. Nick Bochen (ankle), Cole Leal (ankle) and Colton Orr (shoulder) remain on the injury shelf and won't be available to the Kings the rest of the weekend.
The Warriors, under Prince George born-and-raised head coach Brandon West, are scheduled to host the Spruce Kings in West Kelowna on Feb. 1.
The Kings are back on the ice at South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton Saturday at 1 p.m. to face the Trail Smoke Eaters. The Smokies beat the Kings 3-0 a week ago at Rolling Mix Concrete Arena.
Next weekend the Kings are at home to play the Nanaimo Clippers on Friday, followed by a date with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks on Saturday at RMCA.
