Mateo Paler-Chow had nerves of steel for the Powell River Kings in game five but it wasn’t enough as the Prince George Spruce Kings clawed back to win 2-1 in overtime to advance to the Fred Page Cup final, the first in franchise history.
Kyle Johnson took control of the puck at 8:06 of the extra frame and found enough space on a backhand to beat the outstretched 18-year-old netiminder to send all 2,032 at the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena into a frenzy.
“I was really excited, I couldn’t stop from jumping up in the air and that’s about all I figured I could do and the boys were just all over me and it was a ton of fun.”
Then, in overtime….mayhem pic.twitter.com/MSFV5xHBcS
— Spruce Kings (@SpruceKings) April 6, 2018
Prince George had the edge in territorial play for the first 40 minutes outshooting the Kings 26-11 but were unable to capitalize on four consecutive power-plays and could not prevent the circus-like saves from Paler-Chow who turned aside 46 shots.
The game stayed scoreless until late in the third period when a point shot from Powell River double-deflected and found its way to Kyle Kawamura’s stick to give the visitors a 1-0 lead with just over seven minutes left in regulation.
With the thought of a 16-hour road trip within the Spruce Kings crosshairs, Dylan Anhorn gave the crowd and the team a shot of energy as he ripped a one-timer with 1:32 remaining past Paler-Chow.
“Our emotions were on a bit of a rollercoaster for sure as we felt they didn’t earn any quality chances at that point and that goal was hard not to get deflated by it but I am proud of our guys and how we responded and the way we battled,” added Johnson.
The Spruce Kings tie the game late as Dylan Anhorn scores. pic.twitter.com/ayF2bgFZmk
— Spruce Kings (@SpruceKings) April 6, 2018
Not to be outdone, Evan DeBrouwer put forth another steady performance in the Prince George net turning aside 29 Powell River shots, many of which, were of the routine variety.
The 20-year-old from Blenheim, Ontario says it’s equally as special to play in front of such a solid blue line.
“It’s been that way all playoffs, the biggest games the guys play incredible game seven against Chilliwack and Surrey and every game that we faced elimination in the last series the guys were unreal especially my defence letting me stop the puck and rebound that was there, they were all over it. I can’t enough good things about this team because they have been so good to me this year.”
Prince George outshot Powell River 48-30 overall and took the best-of-seven match-up 4-1.
The Spruce Kings will take a couple of days off before awaiting their opponent, either the Trail Smoke Eaters or the Wenatchee Wild.
The Wild currently lead the series 3-1 with game five set for tonight in Wenatchee.
The Wild would have home-ice advantage in the Fred Page Cup if they advance.
Trail on the other hand, would start on the road again next weekend if they were to complete the unthinkable comeback.
.@SpruceKings Kyle Johnson reflects on game winning goal to advance to Fred Page Cup. pic.twitter.com/9LapXAWJRU
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) April 6, 2018
.@SpruceKings Chays Ruddy talks about game 5 win against @BCHLKings pic.twitter.com/rYlvwlVaDG
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) April 6, 2018