A pair of third-period goals in rapid succession turned a deficit into a lead and the Prince George Spruce Kings held on to beat the Penticton Vees 3-2 on Friday at the B.C. Hockey League showcase in Chilliwack.
In the game, played at Prospera Centre, the Vees had a 2-1 advantage after a marker by David Silye at 5:20 of the third period. But the Spruce Kings - who lost for the first time this season on Thursday, a 4-0 setback against the West Kelowna Warriors - weren't about to throw in the towel. Instead, Ben Brar scored on a power play at 8:11 and then, 16 seconds later, Nicholas Poisson went hard to the Penticton net on a rush and was rewarded with the winner.
Brar's tying goal - a wrister through traffic from the top of the left faceoff circle - was his second of the game and seventh of the season. He also scored on a wicked wrist shot at 4:45 of the first period to give the Kings a 1-0 lead. Ryan Sandelin of the Vees tied the score on a deflection at 15:08 of the first.
Offensively, Ben Poisson chipped in with two assists for Prince George.
The Vees outshot the Spruce Kings 30-26. Prince George went 1-for-1 with the man advantage and Penticton was scoreless on one opportunity.
Logan Neaton was the winning goaltender and Jack LaFontaine took the loss.
The Spruce Kings - in first place in the Mainland Division - moved to 5-1-0-0. The Vees dropped to 2-3-0-0.
The Kings have three road games next weekend - Friday in Surrey, Saturday in Langley and Sunday in Coquitlam. Their next home game is Oct. 4 against the Wenatachee Wild.
