Bianchi Sends Spruce Kings to Playoffs

Photo: Damon James – Island Sports Photography

Nick Bianchi scored twice including the overtime winner as the Prince George Spruce Kings clinched their spot in the Rogers BCHL Playoffs with a 4-3 overtime victory over the Nanaimo Clippers on Friday night in Nanaimo.

After a scoreless first period, Michael Denney deflected a Trent LeDrew point shot past Matthew Hutchison to open the scoring on the power play just 31 seconds into period two.

Nanaimo responsed just 1:24 later as Samuel Boisvert scored two seconds into a power play to knot the game at one apiece.

Indiana Grossbard made it 2-1 at 10:10 of the second, before Bianchi scored his first of the night driving in behind the defender and putting home a Spencer Masters past after Masters got the puck off a great backhand play from Andrew Murray.

In the third, Tanner Bruender had a tap into the open net at 6:30 on the man advantage to make it 3-2.

The Spruce Kings responded at 11:02 when Ryan Wachtel deflected a Evan Bellamy shot past Hutchison on the power play to tie the game and force overtime.

The Spruce Kings got key saves from Colin Reay throughout the contest, but none bigger than the ones while shorthanded in overtime.

After the penalty kill, Reay would kick out another opportunity, and Cooper Faughnan would get the puck past an attacker and work in on the two on one with Bianchi. Faughnan was able to place the perfect pass over to Bianchi who hammered it home to give the Spruce Kings the overtime win and season sweep over the Clippers.

Prince George heads to Victoria tomorrow to take on the Grizzlies for a 6:00 start.