Spruce Kings Season Ended by Clippers
The Prince George Spruce Kings saw their playoff run come to an end at the hands of the Nanaimo Clippers, who took the series sweep with a 6-2 victory on Wednesday night in Nanaimo.
The Clippers would score on an early power-play, as Charles Béland opened the scoring at 3:12.
Just 26 seconds later, Tai Ushio would even the game up by walking down the slot and ripping a wrist shot top corner. Trent LeDrew and Ryan Wachtel picked up assists.
The Clippers though would respond as Miller Kay’s shot hit the post, then went back through the legs of Colin Reay out to where Béland was able to poke it back through to make it 2-1.
In the second, Patrick Fortune put one home from the doorstep to make it a 3-1 game.
Lucas Busch responded for the Spruce Kings from River Arnason and Dracen Campbell, as he picked a corner to get Prince George back within a goal.
The Spruce Kings would run out of gas in the third trying to generate the tying goal, and came close a couple times, before Will Subject restored the two-goal lead at 7:19.
Fortune scored his second of the night off a scramble with the net coming off, but the officials ruled it would have gone in anyways, so the goal stood.
Sebastian Miles put home an empty netter at 18:35.
The Clippers will advance to face either the Brooks Bandits or the Cranbrook Bucks in the Rogers BCHL Cup Final.
The Spruce Kings will end the season with a pair of banners, winning the Coastal East Regular Season and Playoff titles. Prince George won two Game Seven’s on their way to the Coastal Conference Final, but were unable to recapture the magic from 2018 and 2019.
The organization would like to thank the fans, volunteers, billets, sponsors, and all supporters for their support this season.
To the 20-year-old graduating players: Isaac Holt, Tai Ushio, Trent LeDrew, Marcus Lougheed, Ozbej Rep, Carter Hesselgrave, Ozbej Rep, Evan Bellamy, and Colin Reay – Thank you for your dedication and effort in your time as Spruce Kings. We wish you all the best in your future. Once a Spruce King, Always a Spruce King.