It didn’t require a Hollywood ending, but a rock-solid effort for over two periods was enough for the Prince George Spruce Kings.
PG jumped out to a 4-0 lead after 40 minutes to hang on by a 4-2 score Saturday night to even their best-of-seven quarterfinal series against the Langley Rivermen.
After looking like the second coming of Martin Brodeur a night earlier, the Spruce Kings found a way to blitz Rivermen goalie Eric Young lighting the lamp three times in the first 12 minutes.
River Arnason drew first blood as a faceoff win by Carter Hesselgrave brought the puck to Isaac Holt who drilled a shot past the Langley defence. With a nose for the net, the Winnipeg native jammed home the loose puck and brought the Kopar Memorial Arena crowd of 961 fans to its feet.
The Spruce Kings speed had the Rivermen on its heels and used the middle of the ice to get away several quality shots while baiting the visiting blueliners to take away the vision of Young.
Edina Minnesota, native Robby Hoch provided some more excitement as his point blast got through a maze of bodies before rippling the mesh for his first career BCHL goal.
Again, a solid win at the face-off dot, this time it was Spencer Masters who fired it straight back to the 19-year-old American.
Another piece to the winning formula was more offense from the defence.
Ozbej Rep, jumped up on a 3-on-2 rush and fired a puck past the blocker side of Young to make it 3-0 after 20 minutes.
Rep, a 20-year-old from Slovenia, led all defenseman in assists during the regular season with 46.
In the second, a too many men on the ice call made the uphill climb a little bit steeper for Langley. While on the man-advantage, Lucas Busch tattooed a one-time shot past the glove hand of Young to extend the advantage.
Prior to the intermission, an inadvertent shot at the whistle by Spruce Kings AP Adam Crosby led to an illegal check to the head major from Frederic Deschenes.
The penalty to Langley’s top minute-muncher is subject to supplementary discipline and could be upgraded to a match if the BCHL Department of Player Safety chooses to go that route.
Unfortunately, the Spruce Kings got off to a slow start in the third period showing a lack of urgency on the power-play, which bled into a couple bad plays in their defensive zone.
Brody Juck spoiled the shutout bid for PG overage netminder Colin Reay as his point shot handcuffed the overage and into the goal.
Four minutes later, a casual defensive sequence proved costly as Cale Colwell added his second goal in as many gives for the Rivermen, trimming the deficit to 4-2.
Langley outshot the Spruce Kings 33-31 overall, including a 16-9 margin in the final 20 minutes.
Both teams went 1-for-3 on the power-play. Reay made 31 saves in the win while Young turned aside 27 pucks from the host Spruce Kings.
19-year-old PG forward Mason Loewen went to hospital after the game after possibly losing another tooth following a friendly fire clear out at the end of the game, taking a puck off the lower-lip and chin area.
The Charlie Lake product has lost at least four teeth since his time in the BCHL and would certainly give Philadelphia Flyers legend Bobby Clarke a run for his money when it comes to his legendary playoff smile.
The Coastal East Division series switches to Langley for Games 3 and 4 Tuesday and Wednesday, from the George Preston Arena; puck drop is 7pm.
With the win, the Spruce Kings ensure a game inside the Kopar Memorial Arena, which is slated for Friday, April 10th at 7pm.
In the other Coastal East series, the Chilliwack Chiefs and Coquitlam Express are also tied at 1-1.
On Friday, the Express came back to beat the host Chiefs 5-4 in overtime. Brady Engelkes played the hero.
Twenty-four hours later, Drew DellaSalla secured the win for Chilliwack at 16:26 of the fourth overtime.
PG’s Kenyon McIsaac plays for the Express while ex-PG Cougar Arjun Bawa is a member of the Chiefs.
Games 3 and 4 are slated for Monday and Wednesday from the Poirier Sports and Leisure Center.
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