Nicholas Papineau wasn’t about to let a solid performance go to waste.
The 20-year-old forward from Gatineau, Quebec scored the overtime winner on a breakaway securing a 4-3 win for the Prince George Spruce Kings over the Alberni Valley Bulldogs on Friday in front of 954 fans at the Kopar Memorial Arena.
You score the OT Winner, you get the big hat. Nicolas Papineau with his thoughts on the win. pic.twitter.com/huTiPHfc2O
— Prince George Spruce Kings (@SpruceKings) January 11, 2025
Papineau, who recorded a two-goal game, gave PG a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes.
Nicolas Papineau capitalizes on a loose puck and makes it 3-2 for Prince George! @SpruceKings | #BCHL
🎙️ @KCAndo23 pic.twitter.com/C7mO0R67PO
— BCHL (@BCHockeyLeague) January 11, 2025
After a tenacious forecheck and some lucky bounces, blueliner Zachary Hachey pinched at the Bulldogs blueline and slid over the puck to Papineau, who made no mistake on goaltender Colin Wynn.
Brady Anes evened the score at 2-2 two minutes earlier as he drove to the net following a great individual rush by Spruce Kings defenceman Trent Ballentyne who let a saucer pass go, connecting with the 18-year-old American forward.
Perhaps the biggest call of the game was a disallowed goal on Alberni Valley forward Jacob Wingfield.
After being called a good marker on the ice, the officials went to video review and determined the stick of Wingfield pushed the pad of Spruce Kings goaltender Dylan Johnson across the red line with the puck lodged underneath.
Alberni Valley held a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes. Lenny Greenberg who’s shot from the slot was taken off the heel of his stick and somehow found enough steam to beat the outstretched toe of Johnson and into the yawning cage.
Caden Tremblay zipped a buzzer-beating shot from a sharp angle that went over the shoulder of Johnson to put the Bulldogs in the early driver’s seat.
BUZZER BEATER!! Caden Tremblay with the late goal gives the Bulldogs the lead at the end of the first period!@AVBulldogs | #BCHL
🎙️ @HamWilder pic.twitter.com/o8rPLu9DTX
— BCHL (@BCHockeyLeague) January 11, 2025
Brock Cummings got on the board for the Spruce Kings at 6:44 of the first period as his seeing eye shot deflected off an Alberni Valley blueliner and past Winn.
Cole Bishop notched the tying goal for the Bulldogs at 2:34 of the third period.
Cole Bishop with an absolute snipe ties the game for the Bulldogs! 🚨@AVBulldogs | #BCHL
🎙️ @HamWilder pic.twitter.com/FlcbwSUuG0
— BCHL (@BCHockeyLeague) January 11, 2025
PG outshot Alberni Valley 41-33 while both teams went a combined 0-for-8 on the man advantage. Both teams finish their weekend double-header tonight (Saturday) at 6 from the Kopar Memorial Arena.
SCOREEEES! Nicolas Papineau with his second of the game is the overtime hero for the Spruce Kings!@SpruceKings | #BCHL
🎙️ @KCAndo23 pic.twitter.com/JOWUNhSbJZ
— BCHL (@BCHockeyLeague) January 11, 2025
Former Cariboo Cougars and local products Kenyon and Brady McIsaac both play for Alberni Valley.
The Spruce Kings (11-17-3-1) remain two points back of the Nanaimo Clippers (13-17-2-0) for the final playoff spot in the Coastal Conference.
Nanaimo doubled up the Powell River Kings on Friday 6-3.
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