Spruce Kings Come Close, but Fall to Saints

Photo: Aaron Grimaldo

The Prince George Spruce Kings got within a goal late, but ultimately fell 4-2 to the Spruce Grove Saints on Friday Night at Heavy Metal Place in Spruce Grove.

It was a spirited start to the hockey game between the two teams that met twice in the pre-season, and the Spruce Kings got the opening goal when Marcus Lougheed deflected an Evan Bellamy shot from the point to open the scoring.  Jackson Froysland had worked the puck free on the end wall to Tai Ushio, who got it back to Bellamy.

Moments later, Ushio looked to make it 2-0, but was robbed by the left toe of Joseph Quintilio to keep it 1-0.

The second period belonged to the Saints special teams, as they scored twice with the power play and once shorthanded to take a 3-1 lead into the intermission.

First it was Declan Waddick ripping a wrister short side on Colin Reay off a power-play rush at 1:53, before Spencer Rheaume scored shorthanded off the rush to make it 2-1.

Tre Peck completed the period at 14:28 with a slick backhand move in front to give Spruce Grove a 2-goal lead.

Prince George struggled to gain sustained pressure in the third period outside of a couple of shifts, but were given a late power play with Brett Barnes in the box for his fourth visit of the night.

With the goalie out, Ozbej Rep’s point shot was tipped by Carter Hesselgrave to Ben Vreugdenhil, who spun and fired the shot on goal. A diving Ushio tipped the puck past Quintilio’s pad and over the line.  After a short review, it was ruled a good goal with 1:28 to go.

Off the ensuing face-off, Nick Bianchi rushed the puck down the wing, got a shot off, then the rebound was put back on goal but Bianchi was unable to get a stick on it.

Brandon Funk rushed the other way and was able to slide the puck into an open net with Trent LeDrew trying to knock it away.

The Spruce Kings head to Blackfalds tomorrow to take on a Bulldogs team who sits 2nd in the BCHL standings. Puck drops at 5 PM (BC Time)