Busch Paces Spruce Kings to 2-1 Series Lead

Lucas Busch scored twice on the power play including the game winner as the Prince George Spruce Kings took Game 3 of the Rogers BCHL Playoffs first round series by a 6-2 score over the Langley Rivermen.

After a scoreless first period, it didn’t take Busch long to get on the scoresheet, firing a one timer past Eric Young from the right circle off the perfect set up from Trent LeDrew. Evan Bellamy picked up the second assist.

Just 1:35 later, River Arnason was stopped while cutting in towards the net, then Mason Loewen got the puck out front to Carter Hesselgrave, who had two attempts to get it past Young and take a 2-0 lead.

Busch would go back to work late in the period with the Spruce Kings on a 5-minute power play, as he ripped a wrister past Young from LeDrew and Wachtel to make it 3-0.

The lead would widen to 4-0 at 1:04 of the third, as Bellamy’s wrister found its way past Young from Ozbej Rep and Cooper Faughnan.

The Rivermen got on the board at 3:42 as Harshaan Kaila tucked one under Colin Reay to make it 4-1.

Prince George responded with an unassisted goal from Spencer Masters who converted a turnover into the 5th goal of the night by outwaiting Young.

Darius Bachelor made it 5-2 by pushing a loose puck over the line at 11:05.

The Spruce Kings got another major power play in the third with Kaila sent off for a Blindside Charging call, and Ben Vreugdenhil tucked one upstairs after a Tai Ushio shot, with Dracen Campbell drawing the assist.

Reay would made 21 saves in the victory. Game 4 goes tomorrow (Wednesday April 8th) in Langley.