Corey Cunningham played like a star on Saturday night.
The 17-year-old forward from Prince George recorded a goal and an assist including the game-winner in 5-0 romp over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks at the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena.
Cunningham set the tone offensively in the first period, tapping home a goal past Silverbacks netminder Ethan Langenegger courtesy of a Dustin Manz shot.
He has a new found confidence in his sophomore season with five points in his first twelve games, already surpassing last season’s total of four along with a career-high in goals (3), breaking his rookie mark of two.
“This summer I was working out with Justin Fillion and he taught me a lot of stuff that I didn’t know and he told me that I needed to gain muscle if I am going to compete with these bigger guys and I’m trying to show that on the ice every day.”
Prince George outshot Salmon Arm in the game 48-25 and went 4 for 10 on the power-play, which included three straight goals in the final period.
Nick Bochen, Ben Poisson and Max Coyle lit the lamp on the man advantage.
For Coyle, it was his first in the BCHL since coming over from the Junior B ranks in Ontario.
“It was nice to get that under the belt and get that one over with. I didn’t have to do much as Welshy (Nolan Welsh) hit me right out front with a perfect pass and all I had to do was go back door with it.”
Bradley Cooper pitched a 25-save shutout.
The Spruce Kings improve to 8-4-0-1 on the season and will hit the road for three games next weekend against the Coquitlam Express (Friday and Sunday) and the Langley Rivermen (Saturday).
-Spruce Kings
