Spruce Kings Drop Game 1 in Tight Battle with Chiefs

The Prince George Spruce Kings lost Game 1 of their first round Rogers BCHL Playoff Series to the Chilliwack Chiefs on Friday night, falling 3-2.

The Spruce Kings got on the board first at 3:04 when Brock Cummings  won the faceoff, Isaac Holt found Corson Maguire low, who fed the perfect pass into the slot for Cummings to snap it past Quentin Miller to make it 1-0.

Chilliwack would respond with a pair of power-play goals late in the opening period, on basically identical plays. Mateo Mrsic found Brady Milburn at 15:44 as he tied the game, beating Charles Gravel from the left circle. Then at 18:39, it was Milburn from Mrsic again with same play and shot location to make it 2-1.

In the middle frame, the Spruce Kings hit the goal post for the second time on the night, as Trent Ballentyne’s point shot slid past Miller but not the post to keep it 2-1.

At 14:14, Dru Mushumanski’s point shot was deflected in the high slot by Connor Arsenault to make it 3-1.

Prince George would have a glorious chance to get within a goal early in the third period, as Miller mishandled a puck below the goal line, but Mason Loewen’s wraparound attempt was stymied at the far post.

With Gravel on the bench for the extra attacker, Trent LeDrew wouldn’t be denied as he followed his blocked shot, and found the loose puck for a second chance and beat Miller to get the Spruce Kings within a goal with 2:18 to go.

Prince George was able to get Gravel to the bench once again, and Cummings had a shot go off the post in the final 30 seconds, as the Chiefs were able to clear the puck and run out the clock.

Final shots were 32-31 Prince George.

Game 2 goes Saturday night in Chilliwack at 6:00 PM, with all the action live on 99.3 REWIND RADIO with the pre-game show starting at 5:45.