Spruce Kings Skate Away with 6-4 Win

Spencer Masters scored the game winner with 6:21 remaining as the Prince George Spruce Kings knocked off the Chilliwack Chiefs 6-4.

The Chiefs opened the scoring at 4:01 when Sam Auld’s shot bounced up and over Spruce Kings starter Ryder Green.

Prince George responded at 7:24 on the power-play with Milan Mrsic in the box for goaltender interference, as Carter Hesselgrave missed the first attempt at a rebound but found it on the second attempt and tied the game beating Ben Laurette.

Dominic Szczygiel made a power move at 15:51 as he drove Adam Kral wide and cut to the net to beat Laurette and give the Spruce Kings a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes.

Colin Reay started the second period for Prince George in goal, and Nico Grabas (PP) and Reese Shaw scored just 1:03 apart to take a 3-2 lead.

Prince George responded at 11:22 as Dracen Campbell got the puck down low and Jackson Froysland popped it out front to Michael Denney who buried his seventh of the season to tie the game at three.

Ben Vreugdenhil returned to the lineup and the scoresheet at 18:02 as he deflected one past Laurette to give the Spruce Kings a 4-3 lead. The goal happened off a pass from Marcus Lougheed that Hesselgrave couldn’t connect with, but it went right to Tai Ushio who’s shot went off Vreugdenhil and in.

Connor Dick got the Chiefs even with just 11 seconds left in the period on the man advantage with a shot off the cross bar and in.

In the third, Kopar Memorial Arena came alive in more ways than one, as Mason Loewen’s dump in went perfectly off the stanchion and into the slot for Masters to dangle around Laurette and tuck it home.

Hesselgrave finished the victory off with an empty netter at the 19:00 mark.