Game Preview: vs Surrey Eagles

Tyson Witala (9) and the rest of the Spruce Kings
will have to put last night behind them

Twenty four hours later the same two teams will hit the ice again in what is shaping up to be an intense if not nerve wracking Mainland Divisional rivalry. For the second consecutive game these two teams needed overtime to sort out the extra point.

Last night after a lengthy discussion and a decision that saw an apparent goal by Tyson Witala waved off, the Surrey Eagles were able to make their tally count and secured two points with a 2-1 double overtime win.

Tanner Fjellstrom scored the only Spruce Kings goal on a play initiated by Coltyn Hansen and setup by Ryan Keis. That lead lasted three minutes before Michael Stenerson scored on a bank shot while the Eagles were on their first powerplay of the game. Stenerson would also get the eventual game winner.

In the head-to-head series so far, Prince George does have 6 points to the Eagles 4 but as far as wins and losses go – these teams are tied 2-2. That sets up an interesting deciding game tonight in the Castle against two teams that have shown they are pretty evenly matched. In fact the Mainland Division has shown to be a tough but fairly even division this season with all but one team maintaining a better than .500 rating through twenty three games.

In games involving Mainland Division teams last night, the Chilliwack Chiefs win streak ended in a 5-3 loss to the Merritt Centennials while the Coquitlam Express ended a five game losing streak with a 5-4 double overtime win. The Chiefs sit in top spot with 34 points followed by the Surrey Eagles with 30 points, the Prince George Spruce Kings with 29 points and the Coquitlam Express with 25. The Langley Rivermen were idle last night but will resume play tonight with 22 points in 23 games.

The Spruce Kings are into their second game in a seven game home stand leading up to the Christmas break. During that time the Spruce Kings and their fans will get to see three of the Mainland Divisional opponents with the Surrey Eagles this weekend, the Chilliwack Chiefs next weekend and the Coquitlam Express after that.

Tonight’s game will see Operation Red Nose in the Castle raising awareness about their community service to help holiday partiers get themselves and their vehicles home safely this holiday season. Driven by volunteers, Operation Red Nose will be looking to help out this year.

Game time tonight is 7pm with a full broadcast available on 93.1 CFIS-FM. For those fans tuning in from out-of-town, the free online audio will be available from CFISFM.com and the pay-per-view on FASTHOCKEY.com.