For the first time in these playoffs, the Prince George Spruce Kings have dug themselves a hole.
And they will have to go to Vancouver Island to dig themselves out.
Miller Kay’s game-winning goal at 6:59 of overtime capped off the comeback for the Nanaimo Clippers, who erased a two-goal deficit to edge the Spruce Kings 3-2 on Saturday in front of 1224 fans at the Kopar Memorial Arena.
Nanaimo leads the best-of-seven Coastal Conference Final 2-0.
PG held a 2-1 lead with a 1:43 remaining until Charles Beland snapped a quick shot past goaltender Ryder Green off the faceoff to even the score and force extra-time.
Clippers head coach Colin Birkas pulled goaltender Eliott Seguin-Lescarbeau for the extra-attacker, a move that paid off in spades.
The Spruce Kings jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in the second period. Mason Loewen notched his fifth of the 2026 BCHL playoffs finishing off a Carter Hesselgrave.
Marcus Lougheed cashed in on a Cooper Faughnan pass at 13:43 of the middle frame beating Seguin-Lescarbeau.
Less than a minute later, Blake Jones provided the icebreaker from the back end for the Clippers making it a 2-1 game after 40 minutes.
Nanaimo outshot the Spruce Kings 38-31 while both teams went 0-for-3 on the power-play.
Both teams will make the trek south before resuming play with Games 3 and 4 Tuesday and Wednesday from Frank Crane Arena.
Puck drop for both games is 7pm.
Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing pgnews@vistaradio.ca.
