The Prince George Spruce Kings start a weekend pair of games against the defending Interior Division Champions from last season – the Penticton Vees. Always a team consider to be a serious contender to win it all, the Vees boost a strong lineup of players that have already amassed a total of fifteen NCAA Scholarships.
Along with the academic accolades, the Penticton Vees find themselves not only leading the Interior Division but also sitting on top of the League with 8 points in four games. A perfect record with one shutout and a combined score of 17-4. During those four games, the Vees held the opposition to an average of a single goal per game while scoring just over four goals a game themselves.
Leading the way offensively is a rookie import from Minnetonka, Minnesota. Max Coatta has been averaging two points a game and comes to Prince George with 5 goals and 3 assists in his first year in the BCHL. Also figuring high on the depth chart is second year player Brad McClure with 3 goals and 3 assists.
Rounding out the top three forwards is seasoned veteran Ryan Gropp with his five points (2 goals, 3 assists) playing on a line with McClure and Ben Dalpe (yes the younger brother of Zac Dalpe). Contributing to his new team’s cause from the blue line is Brett Beauvais, an 18 year old player this year that came from Kalamazoo, Michigan.
In net tonight, the Penticton Vees are expecting to go with the twenty year old goaltender from La Tuque Quebec. Olivier Mantha has allowed only a goal against in each of his two games played so far and has a .964 save percentage. The backup goaltender, Hunter Miska has similar numbers with a 1.00 goals against average and a .960 save percentage.
The Spruce Kings have been showing fans that they are prepared and willing to work hard against any team they face and nothing short of that full effort will be required tonight. Prince George has had some memorable games against the Vees and many fans will be looking for a similar game as played two seasons ago when Prince George ended Penticton’s near season long winning streak.
Earlier this week the team named its captains with Bryant Christian getting the ‘C.’ The assistant captains are Karan Toor, Chad Staley and Mitch Eden. All four players are returning players with the Spruce Kings and have shown leadership both on and off the ice.
That leadership and knowledge of the potent Penticton Vees will be required to keep the Spruce Kings on task tonight against the defending Interior Division champions from last season.
The Prince George Motors Spruce Kings broadcast will get underway with a pregame show at 6:40pm with Ron Gallo followed by the scheduled puck drop at 7:00pm and all the action with Ron St. Clair and Todd Doherty. The game will be broadcast on FASTHOCKEY with free online audio available from the Spruce Kings Mixlr Channel.
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