For the second time in as many days the Prince George Spruce Kings outshot the Vernon Vipers but could not outscore them.
Two unanswered goals from Lucas McCloskey doomed the Spruce Kings to a 3-1 loss in the final regular season home game Saturday at Kopar Memorial Arena.
A goal from freshly-minted Stonehall College recruit Kilian McGregor-Bennett – his 20th of the season - near the end of the first period gave the Spruce Kings and their 1,107 fans in attendance hope they could pull out a victory and gain a split in the weekend B.C. Hockey League series.
But McCloskey put that to rest with his pair of goals and goalie Colin Reay slammed the door on the Spruce Kings to secure the win.
The Kings outshot Vernon 39-32. Charlie Zolin took the loss in goal for Prince George after stopping 29 shots.
The Vipers also won Friday, by a 1-0 count.
The Kings will end the regular season with games Friday in Vernon and Saturday in Merritt.
Prince George dropped to 15-34-3-0, eighth in the Interior Conference, while the Vipers improved to 32-19-1-0, fourth in the Interior.
The Spruce Kings will take on the Penticton Vees in the opening playoff round. That best-of-seven series starts April 5 in Penticton.
