It might not have been pretty, but it was effective.
A lazy wrist shot by Layton Ahac fooled Daniel Davidson from just inside the blueline proved to be the difference on Saturday as the Prince George Spruce Kings earned a hard fought 4-3 victory over the Surrey Eagles.
WE WIN AGAIN!!! @SpruceKings edge @SurreyEagles 4-3. @Ahac14 with the GWG!#BCHL #PGvsSUR pic.twitter.com/YPmDqm8Zn8
— Spruce Kings (@SpruceKings) October 8, 2017
The topsy-turvy affair had no shortage of adversity for the Spruce Kings as they were down to three defenceman at one point after Chays Ruddy and Liam Watson-Brawn received 10-minute misconducts at different points of the last two periods.
Even with the odds against them, Prince George defenceman Dylan Anhorn says they stuck together and pulled through.
“This is a team we have struggled against recently and being down that many defenceman makes it that much harder but it was a great team effort out there with contributions from everyone and it just makes it feel so much better at the end.”
The temperature of the game went up a couple notches late in the second after a disputed goal by Desi Burgart evened the score at three after 40 minutes, much to the chagrin of the Prince George coaching staff who felt goaltender Evan DeBrouwer was interfered with.
“Obviously those things are frustrating but they are out of your control so you have to make sure you keep your focus for the next shift and period, we knew we were down to four defencemen and it was not going to be an easy task,” says Anhorn.
“We went out there and well have some battle scars after this one and the guys got the job done and were looking forward to Merritt on Wednesday.”
Dustin Manz, Chong Min Lee, and Ben Brar also picked up goals for the Spruce Kings while Mackenzie Merriman and Aaron White responded for the Eagles.
.@SpruceKings 2 @SurreyEagles 1 after 20. @brarzan and @dustinmanz10 with the goals. #BCHL #PGvsSUR pic.twitter.com/KPaIq7oGft
— Spruce Kings (@SpruceKings) October 8, 2017
Prince George improves to 6-3-1-1 overall and maintain a two-point lead over the Langley Rivermen for top spot in the Mainland Division.
The Spruce Kings conclude a three game home stand on Wednesday against the Merritt Centennials at 7PM from the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena (RMCA).
BCHL SCOREBOARD:
- Penticton Vees 2Â Vernon Vipers 2 (2OT)
- Victoria Grizzlies 3Â Nanaimo Clippers 2
- West Kelowna Warriors 4Â Salmon Arm Silverbacks 1
- Langley Rivermen 3Â Coquitlam Express 2
- Trail Smoke Eaters 6Â Alberni Valley Bulldogs 2
- Powell River Kings 4Â Wenatchee Wild 2