Spruce Kings Take 3-2 Series Lead

The Prince George Spruce Kings overcame a slow start and Ben Vreugdenhil scored the eventual game winner in the third period in a 4-3 victory over the Chilliwack Chiefs to take a 3-2 series lead in the Rogers BCHL Playoffs second round series.

Nico Grabas got the Chiefs on the board just 49 seconds in the game, as a pass redirected off the end wall and popped right out front, as Grabas was able to put it home for his fourth of the postseason.

Prince George struggled to put passes together early, but Tai Ushio connected with Marcus Lougheed who found Trent LeDrew down the right side and he beat David Di Girolamo blocker side to tie the game. It was LeDrew’s second of the series, after scoring the game winner in Game 1.

The Spruce Kings doubled down just 51 seconds later, as Spencer Masters saw an opening down the wing and his initial shot was stopped, but Dominic Szczygiel was there to put home the rebound to give Prince George a 2-1 lead.

In the middle frame, Arjun Bawa got the Chiefs on level terms again, scoring shorthanded on a rebound after Prince George couldn’t complete a pass on the man advantage.

Just over four minutes later, Vreugdenhil walked across the offensive zone, dropped the puck for Ryan Wachtel who fired it on goal but was stopped, as Mason Loewen skated right across and tucked the puck past Di Girolamo to make it 3-2.

After Adam Kral was overzealous with a cross-check after being hit by Lucas Busch, the Spruce Kings power play finally clicked after eight scoreless attempts, as Ozbej Rep found Ushio, and his shot trying to pick the corner deflected right off Vreugdenhil and in to make it 4-2.

Grabas would score with just over 32 seconds left in the game, but Colin Reay stood tall, making 29 saves overall earning 2nd Star honours.

The series shifts back to Chilliwack for Game 6 on Sunday at 6 PM, and all the action can be heard on www.mixlr.com/sprucekings or watched with a FloHockey subscription.