Chong Min Lee picked a good time to find some offensive magic.
The 18-year-old forward led the Prince George Spruce Kings with a four-point night in a 4-3 comeback victory over the Wenatchee Wild on Saturday from the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena.
With the win, Prince George goes 7-1 on an eight game home stand.
Lee put up five points over the weekend after returning from training camp with South Korea for the World Junior Pool B tournament but came back to Prince George despite making the roster.
Even though he choose to return by his own volition, he says the experience made him a better player.
“I just have more confidence now and all I wanted to do was focus on the BCHL and the Spruce Kings since I didn’t want to miss anymore games.”
Lee’s line along with forwards Jarod Hovde and Blake Hayward picked up a combined nine points and was responsible for all four Prince George goals.
“Hovde has been coming on as of late and even though Blake is sick right now he battled through it and that line was really good and they deserve it, they worked hard for us so they are deserving of good results,” says Adam Maglio, Spruce Kings Head Coach.
WHAT A PLAY, WHAT A GOAL!
Chong Min Lee (2nd tonight)
from Jarod Hovde on a great play download.
Watch! pic.twitter.com/a0HtQipDmK— Spruce Kings (@SpruceKings) December 10, 2017
Wenatchee got off a dream start in the first period outshooting Prince George 14-2 coming out with a 3-1 lead.
AJ Vanderbeck, Cooper Zeck and Nathan Iannone all potted singles in defeat.
Despite the poor start, Maglio adds the team found a way to get their composure back during the intermission.
“It’s a resilient group. They seem to be able to snap out of it pretty quick and get back on the right page by playing the right way. Wenatchee is a good team and I give them a lot of credit they play well, they play structured and are really aggressive and I think it was a totally different game than against Alberni Valley.”
Evan DeBrouwer made 35 saves in the victory including many point-blank stops in the third including one on Lucas Sowder in the dying seconds.
This Evan DeBrouwer save was highlight reel material, with 2.3 seconds remaining. @bchllive @TSNHockey @BarDown
Keeps it 4-3 Prince George and leads to a WIN! pic.twitter.com/aMc01q33B4— Spruce Kings (@SpruceKings) December 10, 2017
Austin Park took the loss in net for the Wild allowing four goals on 19 shots.
Prince George improves to 18-10-1-2 on the season and move within a point of the Langley Rivermen for the Mainland Division lead.
The Spruce Kings complete the first half of the season with a three game road trip Friday in Coquitlam and then wrap it up against Cowichan Valley and Victoria the next two days.