Photo: Matthew Murnaghan/Hockey Canada Images

By Jesse McGowan

National Championship Set

Spruce Kings win, will contend for National title against newfound rivals

May 18, 2019 | 9:33 PM

It certainly didn’t come easy, but the Prince George Spruce Kings prevailed in Saturday’s National Junior A semifinal, 2-1 over the Oakville Blades.

The win makes the Spruce Kings 2 for 2 in National semifinals and gives them the opportunity to vie for their first-ever National Championship on Sunday.

The game was scoreless for the first 35 minutes. Then an outburst of offence produced three goals in less than two minutes, with the Spruce Kings scoring two of them.

Nick Poisson scored his fifth goal in five games when he battled for a loose puck in front of the net and scored. A minute and three seconds later Oakville tied the game.

Canada Post

Make sure city bills are paid on time during postal strike

1h ago

Kittens rescued

7 kittens rescued from hazardous & unhealthy living conditions in Fort St. James

4h ago

Canfor Leisure Pool

City of Prince George files claim against designer of Canfor Leisure Pool

5h ago

Just 42 seconds later, Ben Brar would receive the puck at centre ice and beat his man, beat the goalie, and gave the lead back to the Kings, 2-1.

That would be the way it would stay, but not without some serious pushback. Oakville threw 18 shots at Logan Neaton in the third period, bringing their game total to 33, but the tournament’s top goaltender was able to stop all but one.

The Spruce Kings now advance to Sunday’s National Championship game against the host Brooks Bandits. Between the Doyle Cup and the NJAC, this will be meeting number eight between the two teams, with the Kings currently holding a four games to three advantage.

Their struggle has been beating them at Centennial Regional Arena, where Brooks is 3-1.

The teams meet at 2pm Pacific time on Sunday afternoon with a National title on the line. The game will also be broadcast on TSN.