We’re only two games into the BCHL season and the Spruce Kings top line has already earned an A in chemistry.
The trio of Marcus Lougheed, Tai Ushio and Kazumo Sasaki had their way with the Surrey Eagles Friday night leading to a 7-2 Spruce Kings win in front of 1,052 at the Kopar Memorial Arena in downtown Prince George.
The Japanese connection struck 2:50 into the first period as Ushio ripped a shot past Eagles netminder Maddox Osaka for a 1-0 lead.
Off a broken play, Quesnel’s Carter Hesselgrave led a 2-on-1 rush shorthanded lifted a shot over the shoulder over Osaka to double the Spruce Kings advantage.
Some loose defensive play inside the PG zone allowed Surrey to stick around as Lucas Busch wired a slap shot stick side past an unsuspecting Colin Reay.
PG restored its two-goal edge prior to intermission as Ushio collected his second of the contest on a 2-on-2 rush led by Dracen Campbell. Ushio drove towards the top of the Eagles crease and jammed home the loose change for a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes.
The Eagles woke up from their nap in the middle frame, outshooting the Spruce Kings 16-9 but were unable to crack Reay who made a handful of point blank stops.
Matic Percic added to the lead, making it 4-1, as his power move along the boards allowed him to escape a Surrey stick check and then lasering a blast past the glove hand of Osaka.
Saskai made it 5-1 at the end of the second period completing a give and go sequence with Ushio. Sasaki was sprung free by his fellow countrymen who converted a back hand past Osaka.
Mathis Laplante notched his 1st in the BCHL as a Dominic Szczygiel pass bounced off the 19-year-old’s skate and into the Eagles goal.
Ryan Wachtel earned his first of the season for PG on the power-play with 8:41 remaining.
Lucas DiGiantomasso scored Surrey’s lone goal in the third.
The Spruce Kings (1-1) went 2-for-4 on the power-play while the Eagles (0-3) were 0-for-4.
Reay made 34 saves in the victory to earn him the second star.
PG is back on the ice tonight as they welcome the Okotoks Oilers (0-2-0) at 6pm from the Kopar Memorial Arena.
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