Spruce Kings Open NJAC with Win

The Prince George Spruce Kings got goals from five different players as they opened the 2019 National Junior A Championship with a 5-1 victory over the Oakville Blades.

The Ontario Junior Hockey League Champions got on the board for the lone goal in the opening period, scoring a power-play goal at 13:59 on a cross-ice pass, as Peyton Reeves got the marker from Spencer Kersten and Garrett Pyke.

The Spruce Kings made the necessary adjustments in the middle frame, starting with a strong faceoff play. Off the draw win by Ben Poisson, it was Max Coyle who fired the shot from the point, and Chong Min Lee was all over the rebound to knot the game at 1.

Just moments later, Patrick Cozzi deflected a Dylan Anhorn shot that bounced towards the goal and under Oakville goaltender Will Barber’s pad, which held up as the game winner.

Captain Ben Poisson made his mom happy with a power-play goal to give the Spruce Kings a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes.

In the third period, Jay Keranen snapped a wrister home in the opening minute, before Nick Poisson doubled up the happiness of his mom Julie with a power-play marker of his own to make it 5-1.

Chris Elliot finished the game in net for the Blades, making 2 saves.

Logan Neaton made 20 saves in the victory.

Chong Min Lee was named the Player of the Game for the Spruce Kings, while Harrison Israels picked up the honours for the Blades.

Prince George went 2 for 6 on the man advantage, while Oakville went 1 for 4.

Next action for the Spruce Kings is Monday night against the Ottawa Jr Senators. Puck Drop is 6 PM BC time, and will be carried live on the Hockey Canada website, Hockey TV, or audio only at 93.1 CFIS FM or www.cfisfm.ca