The Prince George Spruce Kings couldn’t quite force overtime on Saturday night, falling 4-3 to the Cowichan Valley Capitals.
Carter Streek scored the Teddy Bear Toss goal for the Capitals early in the first period, as the puck deflected off his chest and into the net on a centering pass from Darius Bachler that Colin Reay steered aside, but Streek drove the back post and got rewarded.
The Spruce Kings tied the game up late in the first as Brock Cummings walked to the top of the left circle and snapped a wrist shot past Dylan Krick.
Kazumo Sasaki scored a beautiful goal to give the Spruce Kings a 2-1 lead as he went from his own end on a pass from Maks Perčič, cut across the top of the zone just inside the blue line and fired one from the left circle to beat the netminder.
The Spruce Kings would then get into some penalty trouble, and Gavin Giesbrecht beat Reay over the left shoulder to tie the game.
A 5 on 3 was given to the Capitals late in the period, but multiple shot blocks kept the game tied after 40 minutes.
As the game dwindled down to the final six minutes, it looked increasingly like it was destined for overtime, but Camden Bajzer had different ideas, scoring on a wraparound to give the Capitals the lead.
Then with the Spruce Kings net empty at the end of a power play, the Capitals had a chance to put one home, but Ben Portner was checked and lost the puck. A delayed penalty occurred, however, and due to the net being empty and the partial breakaway, Portner was awarded a goal and the Capitals lead 4-2.
Prince George kept pushing, and with just over 17 seconds remaining, Mason Loewen tipped home his third of the season, as Skogen Schrott and Sasaki drew the assists.
Late pressure again in the final seconds didn’t work in the Spruce Kings favour, as the Capitals poked it out of their defending zone with two seconds left to secure the victory.
Shots on Goal:
Prince George – 37
Cowichan Valley – 34
3 Stars:
1st Star – Camden Bajzer (CV) – 1 goal
2nd Star – Dylan Krick (CV) – 34 saves
3rd Star – Kazumo Sasaki – 1 goal
Next up: The Spruce Kings return home for a pair of games next weekend against the Langley Rivermen. Friday night, the Prince George Humane Society will be in the building, and on Saturday December 14th at 6:00 pm will be the Annual Drop the Gloves and Sock it to ‘Em game. Get your tickets early as the crowd continues to build for what is always a great night.
Bring your Toques and Gloves and Socks in a plastic bag and throw them on the ice when the Spruce Kings score their first goal.
