Spruce Kings Defeat ‘Backs

The Prince George Spruce Kings got a 4-point game from Kazumo Sasaki and 26 saves from Ryder Green in a 4-1 victory Saturday night over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks at Kopar Memorial Arena.

Dracen Campbell opened the scoring for Prince George as Sasaki dumped the puck around behind the goal and it came up the side boards to Tai Ushio, who dropped it back to Campbell. His wrist shot would deflect off a Silverbacks defender and past Daniel Dirracolo to open the scoring.

Sasaki would start the second goal of the night with a good battle to get the puck on the side boards, and again got it to Ushio, this time below the goal line.  Fraser Leonard jumped down when Ushio got the puck and a brilliant pass was on his tape moments later as Leonard tucked it in the open net to make it 2-0.

Liam Bursaw responded for the Silverbacks on the power play before the halfway mark of the frame, as his shot from the right side beat Green to make it 2-1.

The Spruce Kings would score the only goal in the middle frame as Marcus Lougheed got his fourth of the year on the power play from a tight angle off Dirracolo, after receiving a cross-seam pass from Sasaki. Ozbej Rep picked up the second assist.

It would be a repeat in the third with Prince George getting the only tally, as Sasaki’s shot hit Lougheed in front, who then pushed the puck across the front of the net, where Ushio popped out and pushed it over the line to make it 4-1.

With tonight’s action, the Spruce Kings now have both Sasaki (2nd) and Tai Ushio (4th) amongst the league leaders in points.  Sasaki is tied for the league lead with 21, while Ushio is two back with 19.

Prince George wraps up their home weekend with a 3:00 pm matinee against the Langley Rivermen. Tickets available HERE.  There will be a post-game skate with the team following the game.

The Spruce Kings are home against the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Friday and Saturday next weekend.