By Ethan Ready, with files from Prince George Spruce Kings

Vees defeat Spruce Kings 5-3

Spruce Kings look to fight off elimination after falling 3-0 in series vs Penticton

Apr 19, 2022 | 12:26 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The Spruce Kings solved Kaeden Lane three times, including goals from Ben LeFranc, Simon Labelle, and Luc Laylin, but a late second-period goal from Josh Niedermayer and a third-period goal from Adam Eisele was the difference as the Penticton Vees soared to a 5-3 victory, taking a 3-0 series lead.

Just under four minutes into the game on a Vees power-play, it was a terrific play set up by Brett Moravec, who found Luc Wilson, who then spotted Casey McDonald at the left side of the goal, and one touched it by Aaron Trotter to give the Vees an early lead. McDonald’s third of the playoffs was assisted by Wilson and Moravec at 3:43.

PG: The Spruce Kings were able to find the equalizer from Ben LeFranc just passed the midway point of the opening stanza. A point shot from the right point found its way through the screen and through Kaeden Lane to tie the game. LeFranc’s first of the playoffs was assisted by Luc Laylin and Kolton Cousins at 11:36

In a very fast-paced second period, the Vees were able to take the lead, courtesy of Thomas Pichette. The puck slipped its way to Pichette at the left side of the goal and slid it by Trotter. Pichette’s first of the playoffs was assisted by Luc Wilson and Jackson Nieuwendyk at 13:53.

Less than two minutes later on a Spruce Kings power-play, Simon Labelle raced up the right wing and registered a shot that was stopped by Lane, but Labelle got his own rebound and came through to tie the game. Labelle’s fifth of the playoffs was assisted by Josh Wright and Luc Laylin at 15:28.

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Four minutes later, the Spruce Kings were unable to exit their own zone, and the puck found Josh Niedermayer at the left circle and wired a wrist shot top corner on Trotter to re-store the Vees lead. Niedermayer’s first of the playoffs was assisted by Jackson Nieuwendyk and Luc Wilson at 19:28.

In the third period, Spruce King defenceman Ben LeFranc tried to push the puck out of his own zone, but the backhand attempt turned out to become a shot passed Aaron Trotter and in the Spruce King net to make it 4-2. Adam Eisele got credited with the goal, coming unassisted at 8:09.

After a Spruce Kings timeout, they had a 6 on 4 power-play and were able to connect. Nick Rheaume was able to find Luc Laylin all alone at the left circle and hammer a one-timer by Lane to get Prince George within one. Laylin’s playoff team-leading seventh of the playoffs was assisted by Rhéaume and John Herrington at 16:11.

Josh Nadeau was able to retrieve the puck and his own blue and deposit the puck the length of the ice and into the empty net to solidify the victory for Penticton. Nadeau’s sixth of the playoffs was unassisted at 19:18.

With the 5-3 win on Monday, the Vees now sit ahead 3-0 in the season series as the Spruce Kings will look to fight off elimination Tuesday night at the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena.