All it took was a return trip home to cure whatever was ailing the Prince George Spruce Kings.
After falling behind 2-1 in the first three games in the Doyle Cup to the Brooks Bandits, Prince George mustered up its grittiest performance of the series posting a 3-1 win over in front of 1,910 fans at the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena.
It was the 18th consecutive overall home win for the Spruce Kings.
Patrick Cozzi played the hero on Wednesday as his end to end rush at the end of the second period led to the game-winning goal as he cut to the middle of the ice beating Bandits defenceman Brandon Scanlin and going top shelf past a screened goalie Pierce Charleson.
“They turned it over and I got the puck and I was going to drive wide but they left the middle open for me and I cut to it real quick and put it on net and it was lucky to go in so that was nice.”
Patrick Cozzi goes end-to-end and snipes to give the @SpruceKings a 2-1 lead in Game 4 of the #DoyleCup. Third period is just underway! pic.twitter.com/YZymmzDhfx
— BC Hockey League (@GoBCHL) May 2, 2019
Prince George was outscored by a combined 7-1 score after taking Game One last Friday 2-0.
Upon their arrival back home, Cozzi admits the team was less than pleased with how they performed.
“We weren’t competing as hard as we should have been myself included and a lot of guys stepped up so I think our battle intensity was a big part of the victory.”
Nolan Welsh also stepped up for Prince George, including a power-play goal in the middle frame to cue the comeback plus the empty-netter to make the series a best-of-three ensuring a Game Six Saturday night from the RMCA.
“It’s always a team effort but our defence really stepped up and they were very good tonight.”
Prince George was without the services of Liam Watson-Brawn and Jay Keranen, two of its top-six blueliners.
It is unknown when either will return in the series.
Logan Neaton made 19 saves for the win including a last-minute stop on William Lemay.
What’s new? Logan Neaton with a game-saver as he stretches the pad out in tight to deny Brooks the tying goal. The @SpruceKings hold on for the 3-1 win and tie the #DoyleCup 2-2! pic.twitter.com/yTwexSmbh7
— BC Hockey League (@GoBCHL) May 2, 2019
Jakob Lee scored the lone goal in defeat for the Bandits.
Brooks was outshot 24-11 in the final two periods after carrying a 1-0 after the first frame.
Local product Craig MacDonald drew in for the first time in the playoffs playing on the fourth line as the Spruce Kings dressed 13 forwards.
Game Five is set for tonight (Thursday) at 7:00.
Tickets go on sale for Game Six at 10 AM.
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