(Photo Courtesy: Vicki Brown)

By Michael Reeve

FRIDAY NIGHT BCHL ACTION

Spruce Kings drop overtime decision to Centennials

Feb 11, 2023 | 8:36 AM

PRINCE GEORGE – The Merritt Centennials brought a four-game losing streak to its end Friday night, defeating the Prince George Spruce Kings 3-2 in overtime at Kopar Memorial Arena.

After returning home after a three-in-three last weekend, the Spruce Kings brought the firepower as they outshot the Centennials 40-14, however, the Centennials proved it’s quality over quality as they improved their record to 11-24-3-2. Meanwhile, the Spruce Kings were able to muster up a point in the standings and remain in the fourth spot over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks in the Interior Division standings by a single point. Prince George’s record now stands at 21-16-3-1.

Conor Sullivan was kept busy all night from Prince George as he pieced together a 38-save performance, winning just his second game of the season.

The scoring opened in the first period when the Centennials pounced out on a quick two-on-one. Diego Johnson put a pass into the slot in transition to Jaxson Murray for his 17th of the season.

Just over a minute, Charlie Banquier responded for the Spruce Kings, firing a slapshot from the right point and scoring his sixth of the season. Linden Makow and Jack Stockfish earned the assists on the play.

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The game was tied 1-1 into the first intermission.

The second period went without a goal for either side as it remained tied heading into the final minute, however, Jackson Krill was able to give the Cents the lead with 30 seconds remaining on the clock. The goal was his 15th of the season.

In the third period, the Spruce Kings struggled to find a way to solve Sullivan for a second time. That is until Ben LeFranc put a shot on the net and Linden Makow struck off the rebound to tie the game up with 1:09 remaining in regulation.

The game went into overtime with the game tied 2-2.

In the extra frame, a scramble in front of the Spruce Kings net following a turnover in their own end saw the puck slot along the goal line before Diego Johnson whacked at the puck from the side of the net, scoring the game-winner to lift the Centennials up and over the Spruce Kings.

The Spruce Kings see their season record against Merritt go to 2-1-1 through four games with the final regular season game between the two sides coming on Saturday night inside Kopar Memorial Arena. The game will begin shortly after 7:00 PM.