Spruce Kings Chop Down Eagles

In their first meeting of the season, the Prince George Spruce Kings picked up a 4-1 victory over the Surrey Eagles at the South Surrey Arena on Friday evening. Bryant Christian led the way with two points for the Spruce Kings while Devon Toews scored the lone goal for the Eagles in the loss.

The teams battled back and forth in the opening frame and looked to be headed to the dressing room with the game still scoreless until Liam Board notched his fifth goal of the season, beating Surrey goaltender Glenn Ferguson to give the visitors a 1-0 lead heading to the break.

Midway through the second period, the Spruce Kings doubled their lead when Jake LeBrun knocked home a one-timer off a cross crease pass from Christian to make the game 2-0. Before the middle frame was finished, the Eagles pulled to within one when Devon Toews fired a slap shot past Prince George net minder Kirk Thompson on the power play. With that goal, the Birds snapped a drought with the man advantage that had extended to 28 straight power play opportunities without a goal.

In the third, the Spruce Kings would ice the victory, getting goals from Christian, who beat Ferguson with a wrap around, and Tyson Witala, who fired a back handed shot into the top shelf. Things got a little out of hand in the late going with a couple of fights. First, Latrell Charleson of Prince George dropped the gloves with Craig Wyszomirski of the Eagles. Charleson was given an instigator penalty while Wyszomirski picked up an aggressor penalty, both in addition to fighting majors and game misconducts. Then with just six seconds remaining, Demico Hannoun was assessed a kneeing major for a hit on Karan Toor of the Spruce Kings. Hannoun was then challenged by Prince George's Sean Landrey and both received fighting penalties and game misconducts. Landrey was also adjudged to be the instigator of that fight.

Despite scoring with the man advantage for the first time in over five games, the Eagles went 1-for-7 on the power play in the loss. Surrey now has a record of 4-4-0-1.

For Prince George, Thompson had a strong game between the pipes, making 27 saves for his fifth win of the young season. The Spruce Kings improved to 5-2-1-1 with the win and now sit in a tie with Coquitlam for first place in the Mainland Division.

Up next, the Eagles host the Merritt Centennials on Sunday afternoon. The puck drop is at 4:00pm. For tickets, call 604-531-4625.

My 3 Stars:
1. Bryant Christian - Prince George
2. Kirk Thompson - Prince George
3. Devon Toews - Surrey

Official 3 Stars:
1. Tyson Witala - Prince George
2. Devon Toews - Surrey
3. Kirk Thompson - Prince George