The Prince George Spruce Kings are not letting the fact they've missed the B.C. Hockey League playoffs get in the way of their objectives on the ice at Rolling Mix Concrete Arena the next two night.
They intend to make life miserable for the Langley Rivermen and Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
The Rivermen (29-21-3-1, third in Mainland Division) take up residence on the visitors' side of the rink tonight (7 p.m. start) and they've still got a remote chance to gain a notch in the standings to grab home-ice advantage for the first playoff round. The Rivermen are seven points back of the second-place Wenatchee Wild and would have to win all four of their remaining games while hoping Wenatchee loses all six.
In seven games this season, the Rivermen have showed no mercy on the Kings, winning all seven by a combined 31-7, although their most recent games were closer - Langley won 5-4 and 5-2.
"They're going to finish third in our division and play either Chilliwack or Wenatchee and they've got some skill," said Spruce Kings head coach Chad van Diemen. "We've struggled against them keeping pucks out of our net and we have to really focus on that. We have to limit their chances off the rush and do a way better job in the D-zone, especially defending from the back of our net."
Matthew Graham has 58 points in 53 games and the Langley veteran is a top-20 scorer in the BCHL, tied with Justin Fregoni for the team lead in goals, each with 22. Max Kaufman (18-30-48) and Torrin White (20-20-40) will also get special attention tonight from the Spruce Kings checkers.
The Rivermen have two capable goaltenders in Nickolas Trenciansky (3.07 goals-against average, .903 save percentage) and Bo Didur (3.16 average, .906 save rate). They've split the duties evenly this season.
The Spruce Kings are looking to end a four-game losing streak and they relish their role as a potential spoiler in both games.They could certainly mess up the Bulldogs (20-27-3-3), who are fifth in the Island Division, just two points behind the Victoria Grizzlies for the fourth and final playoff spot.
"They need points and they need wins desperately so we'll have a desperate hockey team coming in here Friday night," said van Diemen. "They work their tails off and we had a good game with them down there and ended up losing in overtime. We're going to have to bring our A-game and it shouldn't be a hard game to get up for."
Kings winger Tanner Campbell, 18, is back to health after he missed a handful of games with an ankle injury. Campbell, acquired on deadline day in a deal with West Kelowna that sent forwards Bryan Basilico and Jake LeBrun to the Warriors, picked up one assist in the Kings' 3-2 overtime loss in Wenatchee on Saturday.
"He's a big part of our forward group and it's great to have him back," said van Diemen.
Campbell has 10 goals and 22 points in 36 games with Prince George and West Kelowna. He ranks third in Spruce Kings scoring behind defenceman Matthew Stief (4-36-40) and Kyle Johnson (11-25-36).
Junior B call-up Chong Lee is back with the Kings for the rest of the season and the South Korean native is slotted tonight on a line with Campbell and Johnson. Major midget defenceman Jesse Pomeroy will be available for both games because the Cariboo Cougars have a bye weekend. Forward Jordan Funk missed practice this week and is out with an unspecified injury.
Goalie Liam McCloskey made 40 saves to help the Kings escape with an overtime point in Saturday's game after being outshot 43-10. Unfortunately for the Kings, he wasn't so sharp in Sunday's 4-1 loss in Coquitlam, allowing three goals on 18 shots.
"It's a consistency thing and that can happen with younger players and he's 17 years old," said van Diemen. "As he gets more experience in the league, when we give up 18 shots on the road, we expect to win those games."
LOOSE PUCKS: Prince George minor hockey is sponsoring Friday's game and all minor hockey player who wear their jerseys to the game will be admitted free... This Saturday at the Ramada Hotel ballroom, the Kings will host their third annual player awards banquet and auction. Tickets for the team fundraiser are $40 each, or $350 for a table of 10. Doors open at 6 p.m. Progressive folk guitarist singer-songwriter Britt Meierhofer will provide the entertainment. Tickets are available at the Spruce Kings office... The Spruce Kings Spring Prospects Camp is set for April 8-10 at Rolling Mix Concrete Arena. Players born from 1997-2001 with rep hockey or junior experience are eligible to attend to not only audition for the club but to improve their on-ice and life skills. Registration deadline is March 31. The cost is $200 for skaters and $250 for goaltenders. Goalie spots are limited, and will be allotted based on a first-come application process.
