Oh captain my captain !
The lucky stick of Ben Poisson struck gold once again for the Prince George Spruce Kings on Tuesday as his overtime winner gave the visitors a thrilling 4-3 victory against the Vernon Vipers, taking a 3-0 stranglehold in the Fred Page Cup Final series.
IT'S OVER! The @SpruceKings are one win away from capturing a Fred Page Cup championship!
Ben Poisson is the OT hero in game three! #BCHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/qhiWq026ko
— BC Hockey League (@GoBCHL) April 17, 2019
It was the North Vancouver, BC product’s 12th goal of the postseason putting the Spruce Kings within a victory of clinching their first championship since joining the BCHL.
In what could be considered a see-saw affair, Corey Cunningham drew first blood for Prince George potting his 5th goal of the playoffs putting the visitors ahead 1-0 after 20 minutes.
The @SpruceKings are on the board first!
Corey Cunningham notches his 5th goal of the playoffs with a sweet move in tight at the front of the net. Prince George has a 1-0 lead in game three! #BCHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/iqqq2LM1Ld
— BC Hockey League (@GoBCHL) April 17, 2019
Both teams opened things up offensively in the second period as the Vipers offence erupted for a pair of markers courtesy of Teddy Wooding and Lane Zablocki who beat Logan Neaton.
Once again the @VernonVipers answer right back!
Lane Zablocki nets a powerplay marker to tie it up 2-2 heading into the final period of regulation. It doesn't get any closer than this! #BCHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/3QD8jrakuq
— BC Hockey League (@GoBCHL) April 17, 2019
Max Coyle responded for the Spruce Kings to put them on even terms heading into the third period.
Early in the frame, Nicholas Poisson put the boys from the Northern Capital ahead by one thanks to a pass from his brother Ben.
We're in for a wild finish as the @SpruceKings have taken the lead here in the third period!
It's a 3-2 game thanks to Nick Poisson, who pounces on this loose puck front of the net. #BCHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/boaj750pwh
— BC Hockey League (@GoBCHL) April 17, 2019
Vernon refused to go away quietly on home ice as Zablocki tied it up for the second time connecting on a pass from Wooding.
Game Four of the series takes place tonight (Wednesday) from Kal Tire Place.
The winner of this series plays the Alberta champion in the Doyle Cup.
In that series, the Brooks Bandits swept the Spruce Grove Saints to take the series and will await the BC champion.
Regardless of who wins the Fred Page Cup, they will get an automatic berth into the RBC Cup due to the Bandits being the host team in the national championship.
Before that, both league champs will suit up in the Doyle Cup, which is slated to begin on April 26th in Brooks.