The Prince George Spruce Kings are on the road for the next eight games, but unfortunately started on the losing side of the spectrum.
The red, white, and blue scrambled in the final frame to avoid a Friday The 13th massacre, but dropped their contest against the Eagles by a score of 4-3 at the South Surrey Arena.
Prince George goaltender Brad Cooper, in his sixth start between the pipes, made 22 saves on 26 shots, while Surrey’s Daniel Davidson put in some extra work facing 33 shots altogether.
The first goal belonged to the home team eight-and-a-half minutes in, but Spruce Kings forward Ben Poisson got the visitors on the board, tying the game at 1-1 with 13 seconds left in the opening period.
A pair of former Salmon Arm Silverbacks took advantage of their new Surrey sweaters in the second period; Cody Schiavon and Connor Sunquist each potted their first of the 2017-18 season, putting the ‘Kings down 3-1.
After giving up a fourth goal mid-way through the final period of play, the fire sparked on the true-blue offence with forward Chong Min Lee cutting the lead in half 4-2 just 51 seconds later.
Captain Kyle Johnson pulled Prince George to within one tally with three minutes left, but Davidson stood strong to hold on for Surrey’s fourth win of the year.
Spruce Kings’ record drops to 7-4-1-1; Surrey improves to 4-7-1-1.
Johnson’s fifth goal of the season was enough for him to earn the game’s Second Star, while Eagles’ forwards Ty Westgard and Desi Burgart took home First and Third respectively.
Surrey defenceman Domenic Masellis was named the Fortis BC Energy Player of the Game in the Spruce Kings’ loss.
Prince George will trek to “The Lodge”, also known as the George Preston Arena, Saturday in a clash with the Langley Rivermen, who sit second in the BCHL’s Mainland Division; puck-drop is slated for 7 p.m.
The Spruce Kings will continue on to the Island to face Powell River, Alberni Valley, and Nanaimo next Friday, Saturday, and Sunday respectively.
-Spruce Kings
