VERNON — John Herrington pieced together his first career hat trick as the Prince George Spruce Kings defeated the Vernon Vipers in an 8-0 outing at Kal Tire Place Saturday night.
Jordan Fairlie secured his second shutout of the season, stopping all 24 shots fired his way as the Spruce Kings improve to 7-3-0-1 while the Vipers see their record go to 5-5-0-1.
Roan Clarke was relieved of his duties between the pipes for the Vipers after allowing seven goals on 30 shots. Ethan David came in relief, stopping 10 of 11 shots.
In the opening period, Charlie Banquier stepped up and into the slot to fire in his second of the season. Ty Gagno earned the assist on the play at 13:39.
After finding himself in a bit of a scoring slump, John Herrington scored his sixth of the season after storming down the slot and potting a shot after being fed by Linden Makow from the corner.
In the second period, Gagno scored at 13:03 after putting himself in the lane. Colton Cameron put a puck on net and Gagno came away with the deflection into the back of the net. The assist was Cameron’s first point of the season.
With Prince George on the powerplay, Makow scored his fifth of the season. Luca Primerano sent a pass circle to circle to set up the scoring play.
Just three minutes later, back on the powerplay, Herrington scored with just eight seconds remaining in the period. Kilian McGregor-Bennett and Gagno earned the helpers.
In the third period, Herrington completed the hat trick. At 7:27, McGregor-Bennett set up the goal as Herrington scored his 8th goal of the season.
Luke Eurig scored nearly two minutes later for his second tally of the season. Dom Murphy earned the assist.
Back in the lineup after serving a two-game suspension, Jack Stockfish scored his second of the season on the powerplay. Fraser earned his third assist of the night while Cameron added his second.
With his second shutout of the season, Fairlie improves his season record between the pipes to 7-1 and now is posting a 1.86 GAA (goals-against average) and a .926 save percentage.
The Spruce Kings wrap up a five-game road swing with the victory in Vernon and will now return home for a pair of games at Kopar Memorial Arena next weekend against the Wenatchee Wild.