SEATTLE – It was an exciting week for the BCHL. All 17 teams headed south of the border to the Kraken Community Iceplex for the 2023 BCHL Showcase.
The Prince George Spruce Kings hit the ice at the Showcase twice in two days. First, Prince George saw the Powell River Kings on Wednesday, then on Thursday, the Spruce Kings went head-to-head with the Nanaimo Clippers.
The action started bright and early Wednesday. The puck dropped against the Powell River Kings at 10:50 am, and it wasn’t just an early start but a fast one for the Spruce Kings.
Lucas Veilleux (’05) and Scott Cousins (’04) scored in the first twenty minutes. Veilleux’s goal would be his first as a Spruce King. Cousin’s goal would be the start of a big day for the Prince George native. The Spruce Kings led 2-0 after the first period.
The second was the worst of the three periods for the Spruce Kings. Powell River found the back of the net three times in the middle frame. Fortunately, Kazumo Sasaki (’05) scored his second goal of the season as a power-play expired. Powell River and Prince George started the third period tied at three.
Less than two minutes into the third period, the River Kings took their first lead of the game. A partial breakaway led to Thomas Belzil’s (’06) first goal of the season. It didn’t take long for Prince George to respond. Linden Makow (’04), on the power-play, tied the game at four when he let a shot go from the top of the circle that beat the Powell River goalie, Will Baker (’05), cleanly on the blocker side.
Later in the third period, The Spruce Kings iced the game. Scott Cousins would score the dagger after picking up a rebound in the slot and throwing it past Baker. Cousins’ second goal would be good for the game-winning tally, but also his fourth point of the contest.
The Spruce Kings would be victorious against the Powell River Kings 5-4.