Weekend Recap: Spruce Kings struggle away from Kopar Memorial Arena
Photo Credit: Tami Quan
WEST KELOWNA- It was another road weekend for the Prince George Spruce Kings, Friday night in Trail and Saturday in West Kelowna.
The Spruce Kings, who have struggled away from Kopar Memorial Arena this season, didn’t fair much better this past weekend.
The first period in Trail was a good one for the visiting Spruce Kings. The combined shots on goal between the two teams in the first twenty minutes were five. Neither team would get on the board.
The same could not be said about the second period. The Spruce Kings would open the scoring just under four minutes into the frame. Ben LeFranc (’03) would catch a pass from Scott Cousins and bury his second goal of the year right in the top corner of the goal, a beautiful play short-handed that made the score 1-0.
It wouldn’t stay that way for long. 21 seconds later, the Smoke Eaters would tie the game. Maxim Potvin (’03) would squeak his 10th goal of the season through Spruce Kings starting goalie Charlie Zolin (’04).
Luca Primerano would get the Spruce Kings their lead right back. Jared Langdon (’06) would drop a puck into the slot, and Primerano would waste no time scoring his eighth goal of the year.
Over the next period and a half, the Smoke Eaters would score four unanswered goals. Two in the second period, and two in the third period. 5-2, the final score from Cominco Arena.
Game Summary
Scoring
Prince George: B. LeFranc (2) L. Primerano (8)
Trail: M. Potvin (10), A. Marshall (15), N. Dominici (1), C. Kim (8), R. Dawson (21)
Goaltending
Charlie Zolin (L) 59:49 (4GA 25 Saves)
Teagen Kendrick (W) 60:00 (2GA 12 Saves)
Power play
Prince George: 0/0
Vernon: 1/2
The Spruce Kings would be back in action on Saturday night, making the trip to Royal LePage Place in West Kelowna.
An arena the Spruce Kings had only visited once this season before Saturday. Just like their first visit when the Spruce Kings lost 3-2 in overtime, Saturday would come down to the wire.
The Warriors would open the scoring in the first period. Trent Wilson (’04) would get his first of the game, beating Zolin over the glove. Felix Caron (’04) and Jackson Kyrkostas (’04) would pick up the helpers. 1-0, the score after the first period.
West Kelowna would score an identical goal at the start of the second of the period. Wilson from Caron and Krykostas would give the Warriors a two-goal lead. Their lead would extend to 3-0 before the Spruce Kings got on the board.
Kazumo Sasaki (’05) would blast a one-timer into the back of the net for his 10th goal of the season, and three minutes later J.R Perdion (’03) would score his 13th of the season. 3-2. the score heading into the final frame.
The score would remain at 3-2 for the majority of the third period. Each team would have chances, but neither would score until the Warriors struck with two minutes remaining. Johannes Lokkeberg (’04) would ice the game with his 11th goal of the season. 4-2, the final score on Saturday night.
Game Summary
Scoring
Prince George: K. Saski (10), J. Perdion (13)
West Kelowna: T.Wilson (16), T. Wilson (17), J. Pridham (20), J. Lokkeberg (11)
Goaltending
Charlie Zolin (L) 58:52 (4GA 25 Saves)
Matthew DellaRusso (W) 60:00 (2GA 23 Saves)
Power play
Prince George: 0/3
Vernon: 0/2
Next Game: The Prince George Spruce Kings will return to home ice for the next two weekends. The Merritt Centennials will take the trip to the Northern Capital for a double date on March 15th and March 16th.