Entering the game with one win in their last eight games, the Prince George Spruce Kings (19-20-3-2) will take on a Merritt Centennials (18-18-8-2) team that PG hasn’t lost to in two meetings this season. Prince George had their season opener against Merritt, with the game ending in a 2-2 draw. A few weeks later, it was the Spruce Kings picking up their first win of the season in a 7-2 thumping of the Cents at the BCHL Bauer Showcase.
The visitors are coming off a tough weekend in Wenatchee that saw them drop both games, but can take solace in the fact that both were close games. That will prove extra important down the line as the Wild looks like a very potential first round opponent for the Spruce Kings.
On specials teams, the Merritt Centennials have been one of the top teams this season, and are currently 2nd in the league, just 0.01%. behind the Wenatchee Wild. The PG power play has slowed down since racing out after the Christmas break. They are 1 for their last ten, and were 0 for 4 down in Wenatchee. Both teams are 2 for 10 against each other this season when up a man.
While both teams have good stats when leading after two periods (PG (14-1-1) and Merritt (14-3-1) both have a pair of wins when trailing after two, and you can bet this game will go down right to the wire. Merritt is 2-2 in their last four games, and are coming off a 5-3 loss to the Trail Smoke Eaters on Wednesday night.