It was unconfirmed until post-game, but Friday night’s matchup between the Prince George Spruce Kings and the Express served as a preview of the first round of the Fred Page Cup Playoffs. Based on the close 3-2 game, fans can be sure that it is going to be an exciting matchup between these two teams.
On this night, the visiting Spruce Kings were able to open the scoring halfway through the 1st Period. Stephen Penner tallied his 1st goal of the season when he fired a low shot from the point that snuck past a screened Pierce Dushenko.
Prince George was able to extend the lead to 2-0 at the 14:14 mark. On their first powerplay of the game, the Spruce Kings worked the puck around to captain Bryant Christian at the point. Similar to the opening goal, Christian fired a shot into the crowd in front of the net. Brent Lashuk was able to get his stick on the puck to redirect to the back of the Express net.
The next goal of the game closed the gap to 2-1 thanks to the stick of Bo Pieper. Coquitlam’s 3rd powerplay of the game was their lucky opportunity, as Pieper corralled home a rebound off of a Ryan Rosenthal shot for his 24th of the season.
Prince George would re-establish the 2 goal lead in the last minute of the 2nd Period when Chad Staley snapped a wrist shot over Dushenko’s glove for this 28th of the year.
The Express came out firing in the final period, keep fans on the edge in hopes of tying the game. Assistant captain, Marc Biega, scored the team’s 2nd goal of the game when his slap shot changed direction on route to the Kings’ net. As per Express broadcaster, Eddie Gregory in reference to Biega’s goal, “his 16th of the season which ties him with Brad Hunt for most goals in a season by an Express defenceman originally set in 2007-08.”
That’s all the offence that the home side could muster, despite finishing the 3rd by throwing 14 shots on goal in the final frame. Alex Murray was strong in PG’s net, turning aside 32 of 34 shots on the night.
As mentioned earlier, these two teams will meet again in the first round of the Fred Page Cup Playoffs. The series starts in Prince George on Tuesday, March 4th and Wednesday, March 5th. The series shifts back to Coquitlam on Friday, March 7th and Saturday, March 8th. Game times are still to be announced.
The Express’ home schedule wraps up Friday, February 28th against the Chilliwack Chiefs.
On this night, the visiting Spruce Kings were able to open the scoring halfway through the 1st Period. Stephen Penner tallied his 1st goal of the season when he fired a low shot from the point that snuck past a screened Pierce Dushenko.
Prince George was able to extend the lead to 2-0 at the 14:14 mark. On their first powerplay of the game, the Spruce Kings worked the puck around to captain Bryant Christian at the point. Similar to the opening goal, Christian fired a shot into the crowd in front of the net. Brent Lashuk was able to get his stick on the puck to redirect to the back of the Express net.
The next goal of the game closed the gap to 2-1 thanks to the stick of Bo Pieper. Coquitlam’s 3rd powerplay of the game was their lucky opportunity, as Pieper corralled home a rebound off of a Ryan Rosenthal shot for his 24th of the season.
Prince George would re-establish the 2 goal lead in the last minute of the 2nd Period when Chad Staley snapped a wrist shot over Dushenko’s glove for this 28th of the year.
The Express came out firing in the final period, keep fans on the edge in hopes of tying the game. Assistant captain, Marc Biega, scored the team’s 2nd goal of the game when his slap shot changed direction on route to the Kings’ net. As per Express broadcaster, Eddie Gregory in reference to Biega’s goal, “his 16th of the season which ties him with Brad Hunt for most goals in a season by an Express defenceman originally set in 2007-08.”
That’s all the offence that the home side could muster, despite finishing the 3rd by throwing 14 shots on goal in the final frame. Alex Murray was strong in PG’s net, turning aside 32 of 34 shots on the night.
As mentioned earlier, these two teams will meet again in the first round of the Fred Page Cup Playoffs. The series starts in Prince George on Tuesday, March 4th and Wednesday, March 5th. The series shifts back to Coquitlam on Friday, March 7th and Saturday, March 8th. Game times are still to be announced.
The Express’ home schedule wraps up Friday, February 28th against the Chilliwack Chiefs.
