(Prince George Spruce Kings / Facebook)
Spruce Kings 4, Kings 5

Late game goal hands loss to Spruce Kings

Sep 20, 2026 | 9:08 AM

PRINCE GEORGE — The Prince George Spruce Kings took a 3-2 lead into the third period before the Powell River Kings took control with three goals, including the game winner with just 19.8 seconds left on the clock, handing the Kings a 5-4 defeat.

Spruce Kings right winger Ryan Wachtel tallied the opening goal just 37 seconds into the game with an assist from Charlie Spencer and Cooper Faughnan.

Midway through the first period, defenseman Jackson Schaefer answered with a goal for the Kings to tie up the game going into the middle frame.

The score pent back and forth through the second period, with Charlie Spencer earning a goal 13 seconds into the period with assists from Nick Bianchi and Anders Foyn Roen. Kings’ defenseman Jeremy Friesen followed up eight minutes later.

The Spruce Kings got the final goal of the period from Max Mahoney, the first of his BCHL career, with assists from Max Reed and Cooper Faughnan, giving the Spruce Kings a 3-2 lead.

At 3:51 into the third period, right winger Rhett Tubello got his first BCHL and Junior goal with assistance from Noah Smith to give the Spruce Kings a two point lead.

However, the Kings came back with a vengeance, with a flurry of goals starting with a powerplay point from forward Michael Mikan at the 6:42 mark.

Forward Jake Westhaver tied up the scoreboard at 4-4 for the Kings at the 8:44 mark.

In the final minute, Deegan Hoffbauer put the puck into the net with just 19.8 seconds left on the clock.

The Kings played an aggressive game, making 31 shots on net versus the Spruce Kings’ 18.

The loss split the Spruce Kings’ opening weekend for a 1-1 record on the young season.

Next weekend, the Spruce Kings will host a pair of games, facing off against the West Kelowna Warriors on Friday and the Salmon Arm Silverbacks on Saturday.