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The 2018-19 Prince George Spruce Kings are the best regular-season team in franchise history

A record-breaking 38th win Friday night, with more history on the horizon
Kyle Balzer
Kyle Balzer

The bar continues to go higher for future members of the Prince George Spruce Kings.

Another record was shattered Friday night (Feb. 22) as the 2018-19 squad defeated the Chilliwack Chiefs 5-3 on home ice, winning their 38th game of the year before almost 1,600 people at the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena (RMCA).

This is officially the most victories the Spruce Kings have accumulated since joining the B.C. Hockey League (BCHL) in 1996; the previous record was 37 games set in the 1998-99 season.

It was also a comeback win against the BCHL’s top team as Prince George was down 3-2 with 14 minutes left in the contest.

Goaltender Logan Neaton notched his franchise-leading 32nd win of the season, stopping 11 of 14 shots while his teammates took a total of 47 shots against Chilliwack’s Nolan Hildebrand.

There were five players with multi-point games Friday night.

Veteran Forward Ben Brar furthered his career-high season by scoring his 34th and 35th goals, one in the first period and the other in the third.

Defenceman Layton Ahac and Jay Keranen each recorded two points, all assists, while Prince George captain Ben Poisson got a goal and two assists

Ben’s brother Nicholas Poisson also got two helpers.

The Spruce Kings went one-for-four on the power-play and killed two of three penalties.

Prince George has the chance to break another record tonight (Feb. 23) because if they sweep the series with Chilliwack, it’ll be the 23rd home win of the season, which would be the most in team history based on BCHL statistics dating back to 2003-04.

They meet the Chiefs in the final game of 2018-19 at the RMCA, starting at 7 p.m.

Playoffs are around the corner and ‘Kings will officially face the Coquitlam Express in the first round after finishing second and third in the Mainland Division respectively.

The Express steamrolled over Surrey by a score of 7-0 to earn that spot, along with Langley’s 3-2 shootout loss to Merritt.

The series’ first two games will be in Prince George on March 1 and 2.