A goal a game isn’t going to cut it for the Prince George Spruce Kings.
Unfortunately, the sticks went silent at the most crucial time for the BCHL’s most northern franchise, falling 6-1 to the Nanaimo Clippers on Wednesday at the Frank Crane Arena.
It was a rude introduction for newly acquired goaltender Ben Polhill who allowed three first period goals to Justin Collins, Chase Hull and Connor DeTurris giving the Clippers a commanding 3-0 lead after 20 minutes.
PG regrouped and discovered some brief offensive magic from overage forward Nicholas Papineau who recorded his seventh of the season from Will Moore and Kazumo Sasaki.
That’s as good as it would get for the Spruce Kings who were pounded into submission in period three as Nanaimo lit the lamp three more times.
Carson Lesiuk and Makaio Van Tassel struck 28 seconds apart ending the night for Polhill who allowed five goals on 23 shots.
Collins added his second of the game with less than four minutes remaining to add insult to injury.
The return of overage forwards Owen Goodbrand who made his season debut following some off-season injury complications and captain Linden Makow failed to light the spark offensively for PG who only mustered 23 shots.
Ryder Green stopped seven of eight Nanaimo shots in relief.
Vladimir Nikitin picked up the win in net for the Clippers. The Ottawa Senators prospect returned to the BCHL in the New Year after playing in his home country of Kazakhstan.
In 2023-2024, Nikitin went 15-6-0-0 for the Chilliwack Chiefs.
The Spruce Kings (12-19-3-1) are now six points back of the Clippers (16-18-2-0) for the final playoff spot in the Coastal Conference.
The road trip continues with stops in Alberni Valley and Victoria Friday and Saturday.
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