By Jesse McGowan

Kings Lose Final

Spruce Kings settle for second-best in Canada

May 19, 2019 | 5:57 PM

Out of 133 Canadian Junior Hockey teams, the Prince George Spruce Kings are number two, losing the National Junior A Championship game to the Brooks Bandits 4-3 on Sunday.

What began as a lopsided final came down to the bitter end thanks to tenacity, determination, and a little Northern-BC grit.

The Spruce Kings trailed to the Brooks Bandits 3-0 after 20 minutes of play in the NJAC final, but after finding their legs and letting their nerves settle, the team turned it around.

Patrick Cozzi got the Spruce Kings on the board just 2:22 into the second period, jumping on a rebound during a powerplay to make it 3-1.

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Before the second was up, Simon Boyko of the Bandits would score his second of the game to reestablish the three goal lead the host team held early on.

All seemed lost until the Spruce Kings top goal-producer this week, Nick Poisson, found his sixth goal in six games to pull the game within two. Then in the final minute, with the net empty, Nolan Welsh scored his first goal of the tournament. On the goal, Dylan Anhorn earned his seventh assist and eighth point in the NJAC, making him the tournament leader in both categories.

With just 44 seconds left though, the comeback would fall short. The clock ran out and the Brooks Bandits were crowned National Champions for the second time in team history, after winning in 2013.

The win makes host teams successful in four of the last five tournaments , which was evident on Sunday afternoon, with a packed arena in Brooks, almost all rooting for the Bandits.