Spruce Kings practice

By Nick Dube

Spruce Kings Rivermen

Spruce Kings get set to host Rivermen in a weekend doubleheader

Jan 7, 2026 | 4:58 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The Prince George Spruce Kings are happy to be back at Kopar Memorial Arena following a New Years roadtrip that saw them surrender 11 goals in back to back losses to Spruce Grove and Blackfalds. Road games have been the Kings kryptonite this season as the team has posted a 5-7-1 record away from Prince George compared to the stellar 11-6 record in Kopar. The rough start to the New Year was obviously a disappointment as the team was hoping to start the New Year on the right foot.

“Our expectations were higher. We came out flat in both games and obviously against two solid teams you can’t get outworked. For a good 40 minutes on both nights, that was the case so obviously not up to our expectations.” said Spruce Kings Head Coach Brad Tesink.

Coach Tesink added that despite the travel the team was prepared heading into Alberta and simply did not execute. The team worked hard this week in practice and feel ready to take on rivals Langley who trail the Kings by just one point in the standings.

“This week it was getting back to the basics and working on our energy level or our details. Going into home weekend against Langley these are obviously huge games for us. We’ve had a bit of a rivalry against them this year and we have to be ready to go off the start. It takes 60 minute efforts to win this game. I think I’ve said that a few times this year, and that hasn’t changed and now the details in the course of that 60 minutes are just amplified in the second half.” said Tesink.

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Despite the setbacks to start the year the players remain optimistic and ready to go following a week at home. The team knows that if they stick to what has made them successful at home all season their is a good chance they can walk away with 4 points this weekend.

“I think we just need to skate and be a lot more connected than we were last weekend. Now, it was a tough couple games on the road but I think if we use our speed and we play a lot more intense and connected, we’ll have more success this weekend.” said Kings forward Ryan Wachtel.

The Prince George Spruce Kings host the Langley Rivermen at 7pm Friday for the annual Indigenous night and 6pm Saturday at Kopar Memorial Arena with new addition Andrew Murray expected to suit up for both games.