A promising start turned into a comeback that could not be completed.
Despite scoring the first goal, the Prince George Spruce Kings eventually fell 5-2 at the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena to Merritt, who currently sit last in the B.C. Hockey League (BCHL) and only 11 wins on the season as of Friday (Feb. 7).
The Cents took control of special teams in the third period, stymying the Spruce Kings by scoring a power-play and a short-handed marker within a span of 2:05 to propel them to their seventh game with five goals or more this year.
Prince George also loses the two-game series with Merritt after a 4-2 setback on Nov. 22, 2019.
Goaltender Carter Woodside had a less busy night against his former hockey club, but also had troubles of his own in turning away 14 of 19 shots.
On the other side, Ryan Winter made 34 saves on 36 shots from Prince George for his fourth win of the season.
Haydn Delorme potted his second goal as a Spruce King, which opened the scoring with 5:32 remaining in the first period and carried the 1-0 lead into the locker room.
Nick Bochen and Nick Poisson provided the helpers.
Merritt then went on their three-goal scoring spree starting at 5:53 and ending at 11:43.
Prince George got themselves back into the thick of things 54 seconds before the 40-minute mark of the contest, thanks to Poisson’s 21st goal of the year and getting help from Fin Williams and Nolan Welsh.
The 3-2 deficit quickly turned into 5-2 as the Centennials rushed up ice both on the man-advantage and on a penalty kill to find a lane past Woodside.
The loss drops the ‘Kings record to 17-29-2-4 with six games left.
Prince George now embarks on a two-game road-trip to Chilliwack on Tuesday (Feb. 11) and Surrey on Thursday (Feb. 13).
