Friday night (Sept. 6) started the way last season’s championship performance ended for the Prince George Spruce Kings, but the feeling didn’t last for long.
The visiting Surrey Eagles screeched in on the local team’s banner celebration by beating them in their own barn by a score of 4-2.
.@SpruceKings’ championship banners from 2018–19 are up on the RMCA rafters ahead of their season-opening match vs. @SurreyEagles 👑 | #CityOfPG @GoBCHL @PGMatters pic.twitter.com/GwcNOYVuTE
— Kyle Balzer (@KyleBalzer) September 7, 2019
This ends the ‘Kings 2019 home-winning streak at 21 games, but it also begins the 2019-20 campaign trail with a 0-1 record.
In his B.C. Hockey League (BCHL) debut, reigning national Junior ‘A’ goaltender of the year Jett Alexander made 28 saves on 31 shots with the last Surrey goal being an empty-netter.
Prince George forward Fin Williams built on his play from the 2019 playoffs by potting the season’s first goal while on a power-play 11 minutes into the contest at the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena (RMCA), bringing the crowd of 1,239 fans to their feet in excitement.
Nick Poisson and Corey Cunningham provided the helpers.
.@SpruceKings’ 1st goal of the new season comes on a PP by this guy 👇 Fin Williams makes it 1-0 for the reigning BCHL champions on the @SurreyEagles in the opening frame | #CityOfPG @GoBCHL @PGMatters pic.twitter.com/OBpnpDR4dQ
— Kyle Balzer (@KyleBalzer) September 7, 2019
The Eagles would respond roughly six minutes later to tie the game at 1-1 before the first period was over.
The birds took full control of the second stanza, outshooting the Spruce Kings 15-11 and scoring two goals in the process for a 3-1 advantage through 40 minutes.
Special teams did their magic for Prince George once again in cutting the scoreboard to 3-2 and a one-goal deficit behind Surrey as Williams lit his second lamp of the night with Poisson and Cunningham getting the assists.
All three players recorded a total of six points.
After pulling Alexander in an attempt to even the score, the Eagles would fly away with the ‘W’ with an empty-net goal with 27 seconds left.
The Prince George-Surrey rematch is set for today (Sept. 7), 7 p.m. from the RMCA.
Prior to yesterday’s game, the Spruce Kings honoured their historic 2018-19 season run with five banners raised to the rafters.
Prince George sings O’Canada 🇨🇦 in unison after a microphone malfunction prior to @SpruceKings puck drop! | #CityOfPG @GoBCHL @PGMatters pic.twitter.com/HZOdiwjHNJ
— Kyle Balzer (@KyleBalzer) September 7, 2019
