Maybe the Wenatchee Wild should play at the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena more often.
Charlie Combs led the way offensively for the visitors as they coasted to a 7-3 victory over the Prince George Spruce Kings at the RMCA on Friday.
Combs, Jimmy O’Brien and Brian Williams potted markers for the Wild in the opening frame while Chong Lee responded for Prince George for a 3-1 lead after 1.
Wenatchee would chase Spruce Kings goalie Stefan Wornig from the net in the second after a perfect sharp angle shot.
Tanner Campbell responded for the Spruce Kings to make it 4-2 but the Wild netted two more from Dakota Raabe and Jasper Weatherby who tallied his first career BCHL goal.
Prince George was outshot 43-18 and went 1 for 5 on the power-play.
Spruce Kings Assistant Coach, Ryan Howse says they need to be in a better mindset against some of the league top opponents. “You’ve got to know what you’re up against, the real players come out in these types of games and so far we haven’t had that.”
Howse adds the players need to show a better sense of pride on home ice. “You’ve got to come ready to go and if were not getting pucks out of our end, refusing to block shots, not working, not finishing checks other guys will follow and that’s not how we are, we want to make this a hard place to play. We have to know our rink and our leaders have to be that every single night.”
Wenatchee’s early success in the BCHL can be attributed to its ability to recruit players in the ever-growing southern United States where hockey has become very popular.
The Wild have eight players from California and one each from Nevada, Arizona, and Florida.
Forward Brian Williams is a San Diego native and played for Wenatchee in 2012-13 before going to the USHL and returned to the program this fall.
Williams explains why Wenatchee is such a popular place to play. “Sometimes the USHL route doesn’t workout for some players and the Wild have always treat their players very well so it’s a good home for everyone.”
Wild Defenceman, Tyler Rockwell had 2 assists in Friday’s victory and believes the key to the team’s success begins well before game-day. “I think it all starts at practice, we really up the tempo so when it gets to the games it’s a little easier and we’re just used to the work ethic.”
Another player suiting up in his first BCHL contest was 17-year old Wenatchee defenceman Jacob Modry who is the son of long-time NHL Jaroslav Modry.
Both teams play again on Saturday at 7PM from the RMCA.
BCHL Scoreboard
Merritt Centennials 5 Trail Smoke Eaters 3
Nanaimo Clippers 3 Alberni Valley Bulldogs 0
Victoria Grizzlies 3 Surrey Eagles 1
Chilliwack Chiefs 4 Salmon Arm Silverbacks 1
Vernon Vipers 4 Coquitlam Express 1
Penticton Vees 3 Powell River Kings 1
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