The Prince George Spruce Kings return to action tonight (7 p.m.) on home ice at Kopar Memorial Arena to face the Surrey Eagles.
Based on what happened the last time they played a BC Hockey League game leading into the all-star break the Kings obviously hope to pick up where they left off.
They’re coming off a two-game sweep of the Alberni Valley Bulldogs, which put Prince George back in the playoff race.
The ninth-place Spruce Kings (12-17-3-1) are just two points behind Nanaimo for the eighth and final Coastal Conference playoff spot.
They’ll face a stiff test tonight taking on the Eagles (19-12-3-0, fourth in Coastal), who have won four of their last five games, including a 4-1 win in their most recent game Jan. 11 in Chilliwack over the conference-leading Chiefs.
Surrey has won two of the three meetings so far this season. The beat Prince George 5-4 on Oct. 4, but lost the rematch 6-3 at Kopar the following day. On Jan. 3 in Surrey the Eagles won 4-1.
Former NHL centre Scott Gomez is in his second season as the Eagles head coach and this season the two-time Stanley Cup champion has also taken on the duties as general manager of his former junior team.
The Alaska native collected 181 goals and 756 points in 1,079 games in his 17-season NHL career and won the Calder Trophy as the league’s top rookie when he broke in with the New Jersey Devils in 1999-2000.
Kings sign Manitoba forward
The Spruce Kings announced Tuesday they’ve locked up the services of 2008 born forward River Arnason for the 2025-2026 season.
The 16-year-old Winnipeg native is currently with Rink Hockey Academy in Winnipeg, playing in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League. In 27 games with the U18 Prep team the five-foot-nine, 152-pound Arnason has 23 goals and 24 assists.
“River is a very dynamic player whose hockey IQ and offensive abilities are extraordinary,” said Kings general manager Mike Hawes. “We are thrilled that he chose our organization for his development.”
