Spruce Kings rebound with late heroics, beat Bulldogs 5-3

The Bulldogs and Spruce Kings would trade back-and-forth shots in the third period, with Alberni Valley scoring a game-tying 3-3 goal with 1:26 remaining in regulation.

However, Michael Denney ensured the Spruce Kings would leave Port Alberni on time and with two points. The 20-year-old forward scored 19 seconds later by tipping in a shot from Vreugdenhil and added the empty net goal to secure the 5-3 win.

The Spruce Kings improve to 13-3-1-0 on the 2026-27 British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) season, good for 27 points in 17 games. Prince George is first in the overall BCHL standings, leading the Vernon Vipers by one point with a game in hand.

The Spruce Kings visit the Coquitlam Express on Friday, Nov. 13, for a battle between the top two teams in the BCHL Coastal East Division. The Spruce Kings lead the Express by five points with the Express having two games in hand.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Bulldogs, Malte Barthold (2) unassisted, 2:02

Second Period

1-1, Spruce Kings, Ethan Stewart (3) from Michael Denney and Mason Loewen (power play), 7:00

2-1, Spruce Kings, Ben Vreugdenhil (1) unassisted, shorthanded, 9:59

Third Period

2-2, Bulldogs, Grayson Salmon (2) from Drew Bowe, 7:51

3-2, Spruce Kings, Nick Bianchi (4) from Ryan Wachtel and Dominic Szczygiel, 13:49

3-3, Bulldogs, Arman Adamyan (11) from Grady Magner and Maxime Ly, 18:34

4-3, Spruce Kings, Michael Denney (8) unassisted, 18:53

5-3, Spruce Kings, Michael Denney 2 (9) from Ben Vreugdenhil (empty net), 19:31

Goaltending

Ryder Green (W), Spruce Kings, 37 saves on 40 shots in 60 minutes played.

Dayton Kitchener (L), Bulldogs, 25 saves on 29 shots in 59 minutes played.

by Aaron Schulze

Spruce Kings rebound with late heroics, beat Bulldogs 5-3

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