
The Prince George Spruce Kings hit the road for the first time in 2024 this past weekend.
Friday night, the Spruce Kings went head-to-head with the Chilliwack Chiefs, then after a day off, Prince George was in Trail on Sunday.
In true Spruce Kings fashion this season, Friday night was dual that required an extra frame.
After the Chiefs opened the scoring in the first period, Kilian McGregor-Bennett (’03), who had just returned to the lineup after missing two games against Penticton, immediately made an impact.
Taking a pass from Linden Makow (’04) off his skate, McGregor-Bennett made a beautiful play, finishing his 12th goal of the season over the shoulder of Chiefs goalie Austin McNicholas (’04). 1-1, the score after the first period.
In the second period, the Chiefs would score twice. First, a defensive breakdown in front of the net left Caleb Elfering (’04) all alone. One quick backhand shot beat Spruce Kings goalie, Ryan Sanborn (’05) on the glove slide.
Later in the second period, the Spruce Kings would get into penalty trouble. Alexis Cournoyer (’03) and Trent Ballentyne (’04) would commit two-minute minors, giving the Chiefs a 5-3 power play for a full two minutes. It didn’t take long for Brain Morse (’03) to rip his eighth goal of the season past Sanborn.
All of this would set up yet another comeback for the Spruce Kings. In the third period, Skogen Schrott (’05) would give the Prince George life. An incredible solo effort saw Schrott go coast-to-coast, powering his way to the front of the net, where he buried his tenth goal of the season past McNicholas.
While Schrott and the Spruce Kings were celebrating, Carter Hesselgrave (’05) would take a cross-check across the face. After a discussion, the officials decided that Morse, the Chiefs defenceman, would be given a five-minute major penalty and a ten-minute game misconduct.
Thirty seconds into the ensuing power play, the Spruce Kings would tie the game. Cournoyer let a show go from the top of the circles. After one, two, and three jabs at the puck, Makow would finally smack it past the Chiefs goalie, setting up overtime in Chilliwack.
It didn’t take long for the Spruce Kings to strike. Who else but Kilian McGregor-Bennett, who squeaked his 13th goal of the season past McNicholas. On a two-on-one, McGregor Bennett let a wrist shot fly beating the Chiefs goalie under the arm. 4-3, the Spruce Kings win in overtime.