Game Preview: vs Coquitlam Express

Coltyn Hansen (10) was the story last night with a hat trick

Coming off a 5-3 win last night, the Prince George Spruce Kings will be hosting the Coquitlam Express again today in the back half of a weekend double header. Last night`s game started out quickly with Coltyn Hansen spotting the Spruce Kings to a 1-0 lead before the fans had found their seats. The Express answered back some six minutes later on their first shot on goal and another six minutes later Hansen had restored the Spruce Kings lead.

A start that probably had the coaches on both squads wondering what was in store for their teams soon settled down into an entertaining game that everybody seemed to enjoy. There was end-to-end action, break-away chances and scoring chances that should have went in but for one reason or another didn`t. Both goaltenders had to be sharp and that was the case, especially through forty minutes of play.

A one-goal game opened up for the Spruce Kings in the third period when a broken play resulted in an insurance marker for Prince George. With sticks in the lane providing an obstacle course for Cameron Lawson, the puck was poked back to Shayne Morrissey who let a clapper go that appeared to be tipped in front off Lawson`s stick and behind Cole Huggins. On their next shift, the pair would connect again as Lawson went through the crease on a pass for Morrissey who fired the one time to give the Spruce Kings a comfortable 4-1 lead.

As it turned out, it wasn`t that comfortable as Will Cook would answer both those goals back to make the game a one-goal affair again with less than two minutes remaining. The Express pulled their goaltender in favour of the extra attacker only to have Coltyn Hansen find a loose puck on the Spruce Kings side of centre ice and find the empty net with less than a minute to go.

These two teams were able to execute the long transition pass and cross seam passes that created so many glorious scoring chances. Safe to say that adjustments will be made to the game today, but there`s no reason not to think that this game won`t be just as exciting for the fans and nervous for the coaches. All of the games between these two have been close, despite the final scores.

There is no expected lineup changes for the Coquitlam Express who came into the weekend a little banged up and without a few key players in the lineup. Since losing Alexander Kerfoot for the season back in November, the Express haven`t been the same team. Not having Brandon Morley, Sam Majka or Lars Hepso in the lineup doesn`t help their cause either. Once again today, Coquitlam will see three AP`s in their line.

The Spruce Kings will have one AP in their lineup today, Kody Disher will suit up after arriving late last night. Disher will be in to offset the vacancies of Kevin Guiltinan, Sean Landrey and Tyson Witala. Following the game today, fans will be able to come out on the ice and skate with the Spruce Kings … remember to bring your skates.

Game time is 3:00pm with a pregame show beginning at 2:35pm. Please note that this game is not broadcast on 93.1 CFIS-FM, but you will be able to listen to it online and from your mobile device on the Spruce Kings MIXLR.com channel. You can also watch it online from FASTHOCKEY.com, hook it up to your television and watch it from the comfort of your livingroom.