The chances are still infinitesimal that the Prince George Spruce Kings will make the BCHL playoffs.
But as strange as it seems, they still have a shot at it.
The Spruce Kings stayed alive in the Interior Conference playoff race when they beat the Merritt Centennials 4-2 Thursday night in Merritt to creep to within three points of the Quesnel Millionaires, the team they have to pass to make the postseason.
Connor Tiechko scored two goals to pace the Kings' attack. Chase Golightly and Jujhar Khaira, into an empty net, added singles.
Stephen Wall and Blaine Bokenfohr replied for the Cents, who fired 35 shots at Spruce Kings goalie Kirk Thompson.
The Kings' power play struck twice in three opportunities. Golightly's scored 19:39 into the second period and Tiechko followed suit 1:44 into the third period to put the Kings ahead 2-1.
The Spruce Kings play tonight in Penticton and Saturday in Westside and have to win both those games and hope Quesnel loses all three of its weekend games. If the Mills gain a point in any of their games tonight in Westside, Saturday in Penticton or Sunday in Vernon, the Kings will be eliminated from the playoff race.
