Exhibition

Kings bounce back in big way against Centennials

Nov 8, 2020 | 12:23 AM

The Prince George Spruce Kings played their 4th game of the exhibition season Saturday night at the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena as they welcomed the Merritt Centennials.

This was the 4th meeting between the two clubs with the Kings owning a 2-1 record over the Cents, but Merritt winning the last contest at the RMCA 13 days prior.

It didn’t take Prince George long to get on the board, as Colton Cameron would fire a shot from the right point which fooled Josh Dias and found its way into the back of the net 53 seconds in, giving the home side an early advantage.

Less than 3 minutes later the Kings would double their lead on a nifty passing play started by Christian Buono, who fed Connor Bowie, who then dropped it for Austin Spiridakis who would bury his first of the exhibition season.

Just after the media time-out Merritt would cut the Kings lead in half, as Ben Ward would bang one in at the side of the net past Jordan Fairlie.

Prince George would take a one goal advantage into the middle stanza.

In the middle frame the Kings would restore their two goal lead thanks to a hometown bounce.

A clearing attempt by the Kings on the penalty kill would take a funny bounce of the corner boards, hop over the stick of Josh Dias, and it would be Andrew Seaman who would fly in and bang it home for his 3rd goal in as many games.

Kings appeared to have continued their success on the special teams later in the frame as Rowan Miller knocked in a power play goal, but after some discussion by the officials it was waves off due to a hand pass.

It appeared the Kings were going to take a two goal lead into the 3rd, but in the final 10 seconds of the frame, defenceman Mason Waite would pick up the biscuit in the neutral zone and go for a skate, getting around a Centennial defender and sliding one five hole past Dies to give Prince George a 4-1 lead.

Hunor Torzsok would score the lone goal in the 3rd and the Spruce Kings would bounce back with an impressive 5-1 win over Merritt to improve their record to 3-1 in the exhibition season.

Jordan Fairlie would make 18 stops in the win, his 2nd in exhibition play.

Connor Bowie, who is on loan from the Prince George Cougars made his Spruce Kings debut Saturday night and had an assist in the win. He played on a line with Austin Spiridakis and Christian Buono.

Saturday’s game was the final contest at the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena during the exhibition schedule.

The Kings will head out on the road next week for 3 games in 3 nights beginning Friday in Cranbook.