Friday’s BCHL matchup between the Vernon Vipers and the Prince George Spruce Kings resembled a Rock’Em Sock’Em type of affair at the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena.
However, the heated contest resulted in a positive outcome for the Spruce Kings as they edged the Vipers 2-1 despite getting outshot 25-16.
The game didn’t get off to the best of starts for the hosts who fell behind 1-0 after 20 minutes courtesy of Derek Brown’s first goal of the season.
Prince George dug deep in the middle frame thanks to a pair of goals in 90 seconds as Ben Poisson pulled the Spruce Kings even on the power-play followed by the game-winning goal by Ben Brar whose wrist shot went top shelf on the glove side beating Vernon netminder Ty Taylor.
“Those guys stepped up when Johnson and De Jong left for the World Junior A Challenge and they’ve had a lot of our point production lately, which is huge and good for those guys. I can’t give them enough dividends, it’s unbelievable what they have been doing and they come in every night ready to play,” says Chays Ruddy, Spruce Kings Defenceman.
This is the second time in a two week span the Spruce Kings have upended the Vipers with their last encounter coming on January, 6th when Prince George skated to victory at the BCHL Heritage Game.
The temperature of the game went up a few degrees early in the third after a disputed goal by Vernon was overturned after Evan DeBrouwer cleared possessed the puck with his glove in the crease eliminating any possibility for the tying goal.
Ruddy adds some of the hatred comes naturally when both games are tight-checking and very close together.
“Anytime you play a team twice and they’re both close games like 2-1 things are going to pickup especially when there’s some questionable calls or two five-on-three’s like that the tempers are going to be flaring.”
The Spruce Kings continue to lead the Mainland Division by two points over the Langley Rivermen who fell 4-3 to the Powell River Kings while the Surrey Eagles were idle.
With 14 games remaining on the schedule and a slew of divisional games on the horizon, Ruddy says the time is now for the players to round their game into playoff form.
“It’s coming to that time of year where we’re near the end of the season and I think a lot of guys have to come in to their game this time of year and now its time to put it to good use.”
Former Cariboo Cougar and local product Chris Jandric suited up for the Vipers, he is committed to Alaska-Fairbanks of the NCAA for next season, joining his older brother Steven.
Prince George improves to 22-14-4-4 on the season and will host the Powell River Kings at 3 PM from the RMCA.
Tonight’s @CapriCMW 3 Stars:
⭐️ Evan DeBrouwer
⭐️⭐️Ben Brar
⭐️⭐️⭐️Chays RuddyFortis BC Energy Player – Jay Keranen pic.twitter.com/uhjhOL88nU
— Spruce Kings (@SpruceKings) January 20, 2018