GAME DAY: GM #32 Vees at Prince George Spruce Kings
Photo: Jack Murray
BROADCAST INFORMATION
Game Time: 7:00 pm PST
Location: Kopar Memorial Arena
Radio: Bounce 800 am
Webcast: Hockey TV
Penticton Vees
GM & Head Coach: Fred Harbinson
2022-23: GP 31 29-2-0-0, 1st Interior Conference
Home: 16-0-0-0
Away: 13-2-0-0
GF: 175
GA: 57
Power Play: 36.4% (1)
Penalty Kill: 84% (5)
Top Scorer: Bradly Nadeau (27-36-63)
Top Scorer vs. Spruce Kings: Josh Nadeau 1-6-7
| Last 5 Games | Next 5 Games |
| 6-3 W @ Vernon Vipers (Jan. 1) | Jan. 7 @ Prince George, 7:00 pm |
| 9-2 W vs. West Kelowna (Dec. 30) | Jan. 13 @ Trail, 7:00 pm |
| 6-1 W @ West Kelowna (Dec. 17) | Jan. 25 @ Vernon, 7:00 pm |
| 7-2 W vs. Wenatchee (Dec. 16) | Jan. 28 @ Cranbrook, 6:00 pm |
| 8-0 W @ Merritt (Dec. 14) | Feb. 3 @ Surrey, 7:00 pm |
| Season Series |
| 4-0 W vs. Prince George (Nov. 4) |
| 4-1 W vs. Prince George (Nov. 19) |
| Jan. 6 @ Prince George, 7:00 pm |
| Jan. 7 @ Prince George, 7:00 pm |
| Feb. 25 @ Prince George, 7:00 pm |
Last Game: The Vees rung in 2023 with a 6-3 win on New Year’s day over the Vernon Vipers at Kal Tire Place. Aydar Suniev, Josh Niedermayer, and Josh Nadeau each had a goal and an assist. It was a big second period effort that was the difference, as the Vees scored three times in the middle frame, as they led 4-1 after two periods. Luca Di Pasquo picked up the win, his 21st, with a 21-save performance. That win improved the Vees’ record to 3-0-0-0 against the Vipers and extended their win streak to five games.
Tonight’s Game: Tonight, is the third of five meetings with the Spruce Kings. The previous two games were in Penticton, with the Vees winning 4-0 and 4-1 in November. The season series shifts to B.C.’s Northern Capital, as Penticton kicks-off a weekend doubleheader at Kopar Memorial Arena. After this weekend, the Vees are back in PG on February 25.
Tonight, Penticton welcomes back forward Jackson Nieuwendyk after he missed the last three games due to suspension. A big piece down the middle for the Vees. Nieuwendyk is having a very good 20-year-old season, as he has 25 points in 28 games. The Vees will most likely split the goaltending duties this weekend with Luca Di Pasquo and Hank Levy each getting a start.
The Vees are 13-2-0-0 away from the SOEC this season.
Prince George Spruce Kings
General Manager: Mike Hawes
Head Coach: Alex Evin
2022-23: GP 30 16-11-2-1, 4th Interior Conference
Home: 8-5-0-0
Away: 8-6-2-1
GF: 94
GA: 91
Power Play: 21.1% (8)
Penalty Kill: 76.9% (11)
Top Scorer: John Herrington 16-11-27
Top Scorer vs. Vees: Jake Schneider 1-0-1
| Last 5 Games | Next 5 Games |
| 6-5 L (OT) @ Wenatchee (Dec. 31) | Jan. 7 vs. Penticton, 7:00 pm |
| 5-4 W (OT) @ Wenatchee (Dec. 30) | Jan. 13 @ West Kelowna, 7:00 pm |
| 3-2 L @ Chilliwack (Dec. 17) | Jan. 14 @ Wenatchee, 6:05 pm |
| 3-2 W (OT) @ Nanaimo (Dec. 16) | Jan. 27 vs. Trail, 7:00 pm |
| 6-3 W vs. Cowichan Valley (Dec. 9) | Jan. 28 vs. Trail, 7:00 pm |
Last Game: The Spruce Kings came back from the Christmas break with three out of a possible four points during a trip to Wenatchee. On New Year’s Eve, the Spruce Kings lots 6-5 in overtime to the Wild, Cade Littler scored the OT winner. That a night after Prince George won 5-4 in overtime on Dec. 30th. In the 6-5 OT loss, Austin Fraser had a pair of goals. The Spruce Kings came back from a 2-0 deficit in the first two minutes to earn a point.
Outlook: Alex Evin’s team has won three of their last five and has points in four of those five games. Entering Friday’s action, Prince George sits fourth in the Interior but are just one point back of the third place West Kelowna Warriors. Five of their next seven games are at home, which is a distinct advantage when considering the unique features of Kopar Memorial Arena.