Spruce Kings beat Caps, second win in a row
The Prince George Spruce Kings are on a winning streak.
They made it two B.C. Hockey League wins in row Friday with a 5-3 victory over the Cowichan Valley Capitals at Rolling Mix Concrete Arena.
Kings defenceman Connor Russell broke a 3-3 deadlock with two minutes remaining in the third period to give the Kings the lead. Adam Burnett followed up a minute later with an empy-netter.
The Kings fired 52 shots at Cowichan goalie Adam Marcoux. Tavin Grant, in his first BCHL game since joining the Kings from the WHL Cougars, made 21 saves in the Kings nets.
Hunter Luhmann, Kyle Johnson and Cavin Tilsley also scored for the Spruce Kings, who improved to 3-5-0-1. Ayden MacDonald, Ty Pochipinski and George Sennott replied for the Capitals (4-2-1-0).
The Kings are on the road for games next Friday and Saturday in Wenatchee.
• Lucas Gore has been added to the Spruce Kings coaching staff.
The former Chilliwack Bruins/ Vernon Vipers goalie is taking on the Kings’ job as his first regular assignment in junior A hockey.
“I’m definitely excited,” said Gore, in a team release. “Since my playing career ended I’ve always wanted to get involved in coaching. I’ve done some work around Kamloops with the junior B and major midget teams, so I’m excited to take the next step with the Spruce Kings. This is the first full team job I’ve had, but with being a recent player I think I’ll be able to relate to the goalies pretty well and help them improve.”
Gore, 25, is a former teammate of Kings assistant coach Ryan Howse. They played together for three seasons while they were with the WHL Bruins. He started his junior career in 2007-08 with the Vipers.
After graduating the junior ranks, Gore played four years in the CIS with the University of Regina Cougars, from 2011-15. He went on to play seven games in the ECHL for the Stockton Thunder.
“We are thrilled to have Lucas come on board with the Spruce Kings to work with our goaltenders,” said Kings general manager Mike Hawes. “He comes highly recommended by our former goaltender consultant and current Kamloops Blazers goaltender coach, Dan DePalma, who had nothing but good things to say about Lucas and his passion for helping young goaltenders.
“Lucas had a tremendous track record as a player and is not that far removed from playing which will allow him to relate very closely to today’s goalies.”