Listen Live
Listen Live

Shorthanded Spruce Kings gut out victory against Vernon

The depleted blueline of the Prince George Spruce Kings needed to come up with a big stand minus three key bodies.

In the end, they didn’t disappoint.

Even without Layton Ahac (World Junior A Challenge), Dylan Anhorn (injury) and Nick Bochen (World Junior A Challenge), the Spruce Kings found a way to out battle the Vernon Vipers 2-1 Wednesday evening before 735 fans at the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena.

Once the puck was finally dropped, the game quickly turned into a goaltending clinic between Logan Neaton (Spruce Kings) and Bradley Cooper (Vipers).

The game remained scoreless for the opening 40 minutes as Cooper made a number of ten-bell saves in his first game with Vernon after being dealt one week ago by the Spruce Kings for Garrett Worth.

After a chippy start to the third period, Dustin Manz finally cracked the goose-egg against his former teammate scoring five-hole with 12:38 remaining.

The 19-year-old said it was key for his teammates to continue creating chances even though they knew Cooper would play nearly lights-out.

“We started getting some pressure against them up against the half-wall and I tried a couple shots before that to shoot through a screen and I had a little bit of space and time and he ended up being screened and Coop didn’t see it.”

The win keeps Prince George (22-8-1-2) atop the Mainland Division standings by a point over the (23-9) Chilliwack Chiefs who won a mid-week punch-up against the Langley Rivermen by a 3-1 score, with three fights and six game misconducts being issued by the officials.

“It meant a lot, it shows a lot of character on our team that we can battle through injuries with Ahac being gone to Canada West as well as Bochen so it was really nice to see us get a win with other players getting big minutes,” explained Manz.

Speaking of big minutes, 20-year-old blueliner Max Coyle rose to the occasion for the Spruce Kings shutting down the attacking Viper forwards all while collecting the game’s first star.

He says some subtle adjustments by the coaching staff made a big difference.

“Our main system stayed the same but we kind of dumbed it down and make it a little easier on us so that we didn’t give up the odd-man rushes and we we’re told not pinch as much so that we could keep some of our energy for the rest of the game.”

Both rosters looked like mash units as the Spruce Kings were also without Corey Cunningham and Worth due to injury while the Vipers came up north minus Ben Sanderson (injured), Jesse Lansdell (injured), Logan Cash (injured), Carver Watson (injured) as well as star players Jack Judson and Alex Swetlikoff who made the cut for Team Canada West.

Some reinforcements were called in for the Wednesday tilt by the Spruce Kings as Brendan Wang from the Burnaby Winter Club was called up to play as the fifth-defenceman while Cariboo Cougars forward John Harrington saw a few shifts.

Game five of a seven-game homestand for Prince George continues on Friday at 7PM from the RMCA when the Nanaimo Clippers make their only stop of the regular season in the northern capital.

Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].

Brendan Pawliw
Brendan Pawliw
Since moving to Prince George in 2015, Brendan has covered local sports including the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, Prince George Spruce Kings, UNBC Timberwolves, Cariboo Cougars AAA, and Northern Capitals U18 female hockey teams. Career highlights include play-by-play during the Spruce Kings' BCHL championship runs in 2018 and 2019, including the Doyle Cup win. He also covered the 2019 National Junior A Championship, the 2017 Telus Cup, the 2022 World Women’s Curling Championship, and the 2022 BC Summer Games. Brendan is the news voice on 94.3 The Goat and Country 97 FM, reporting on crime, real estate, labour, and environmental issues. Outside of work, he officiates box lacrosse and fastball, sits on the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame board, and co-hosts the Hockey North podcast.

Continue Reading

cjci Now playing play

cirx Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Picket lines grow as BCGEU escalates job action

The B.C. General Employees' Union ramped up its job action across the province this morning.

Police arrest suspect after stumbling upon several stolen items

The suspect was released from custody with a future court date. This file remains under investigation.

Canada Post to unveil Delivery Accommodation Program amid proposed changes

Last month, the federal government ordered Canada Post to begin a sweeping overhaul that could spell the end of traditional door-to-door delivery among other changes.The government said Canada Post is in “an existential crisis” after years of mounting losses and shrinking mail volumes.

Three suspects sought by Aboriginal Housing Society after act of vandalism

The footage shows one suspect wearing a light blue jacket with white sneakers while carrying a backpack.

Safe Streets Rally taking place at CN Centre tonight

Residents are invited to the CN Centre to give feedback on the growing problems with crime and disorder on Prince George streets.
- Advertisement -