One Goal Games

While Alistair McInnis was away for a late fall holiday, Allan Wishart did a great job filling in at the Prince George Free Press covering the local sports scene. This past weekend Wishart was in attendance as the Spruce Kings extended their win streak to six games and posted this article for the Wednesday issue of the local paper.

by Allan Wishart, Prince George Free Press

Liam Board (19) attracts some attention in front of the
Alberni Valley Bulldogs goal in Friday night's game

Even when the Spruce Kings win by more than one goal, it doesn't feel that way, says Dave Dupas.

"The Alberni Valley game was a one-goal game until the last few minutes," the Spruce Kings coach says of the 6-3 win Friday night at the Coliseum. "Coltyn Hansen scored to give us a two-goal lead and then he got the empty-netter."

Saturday, the Spruce Kings were right back to their one-goal ways, edging the West Kelowna Warriors 4-3 when Tyson Witala scored about two minutes into overtime.

The pair of wins gives the Spruce Kings six in a row, four of them by one goal.

"We'll keep taking them," Dupas says of the close wins. "We're finding ways to win, which is great. The other thing is it's somebody different stepping up each game. We're not relying on one or two players."

One player who did come in for special note from Dupas was 16 year-old goalie Liam McLeod, who got the start against Alberni Valley.

"Liam was playing against a team that scores a lot of goals and he held them off. He made some big saves when had to. That team, if they learn to play defense, they'll be tough because they can score."

Against West Kelowna, Dupas went back to Kirk Thompson and got exactly what he come to expect.

"Kirk keeps us in the game. He's very steady and he makes the saves when we need them."

Asked to name a couple of standouts from the weekend, Dupas paused.

"You'd have to go through the whole team. Everybody right now is doing what they're supposed to do. The penalty kill has been unbelievable and we're still blocking a lot of shots."

By the team's figures, they had more than 60 blocked shots in the two games, which Dupas says shows the team's dedication to playing hard at both ends.

"I wish we could win 3-0 every night, but that's not going to happen. There are some talented teams in this league and a lot of them can score goals."

The wins also moved the Spruce Kings into first place in the Mainland Division with 24 points, two ahead of the Chilliwack Chiefs, who have a game in hand. All five teams in the division are playing .500 or better so far this season. The Spruce Kings will see the two bottom teams this weekend when they travel to Langley (Friday) and Surrey (Saturday).

"This will be our fifth game against Langley already and all of them have been down there, so I guess we'll be seeing a lot of them up here as the goes along," Dupas says. "We've beaten them twice in overtime and they've beaten us twice by one goal."

"They're a physical team, so we can't let them establish that style. We have to get into out game."

While the Spruce Kings have beaten Surrey twice this year by three-goal margins, Dupas says this game could be closer.

"They didn't have a scorer before, but since they got Brady Shaw in a trade (with Coquitlam), he's been scoring a ton."

Shaw has four goals and six points in three games with the Eagles.

"We may go with a different game plan against them this time," Dupas says, "try to figure out a way to neutralize him."

The winning streak has also moved the Spruce Kings the Canadian Junior Hockey League rankings for the first time this season. The Spruce Kings hold down the number 20 spot and are joined by BCHL foes Penticton (6) and Victoria (10), while Chilliwack received an Honourable Mention.

Unrattled

Kudos to Steve Ewen on a great article that appeared in the Province newspaper on Tuesday October 30th. We all remember seeing the highlight reel goal that gained national and international attention. After that game I spoke with Kirk Thompson and he then told me that he was okay with it and would do it again instead of watching it happen to somebody else.

I knew then that he was referring to Liam McLeod who had started that game. Thompson came in relief before the end of the first period and turned aside all but that one shot - a perfect shot with no room for error or hesitation. While talking with Kirk, I thought I would let things settle down a little before bringing up that story.

It is a great story of mentorship with Kirk taking as much pride in Liam's successes as he does in his own and the team's. Steve Ewen touches on that relationship in this story that appears on the Province newspaper's website and I have shared here for you.

Kirk Thompson has done nothing but win
after letting in widely viewed goal

by Steve Ewen, The Province

A funny thing happened to Kirk Thompson after being on the wrong end of perhaps the most viewed highlight in BCHL history.

He's kept winning. And winning. And winning.

The Prince George Spruce Kings netminder has been victorious in his five decisions since playing a supporting role on that last-second, 4-3 Langley Rivermen goal on Oct. 7 that starred the fancy hands of Austin Azurdia and the flashy phrasing of Rivermen play-by-play man Brandon Astle.

More than 90,000 people on YouTube have watched Azurdia toe-drag past Prince George defenceman Mitch Eden and beat Thompson glove-side, just under the crossbar, for the winner, and then listened to an obviously elated Astle bellow out things like, "Sports Centre, get it ready ... that's the highlight of the year!"

The clip has also run on Global TV, TSN, Yahoo.com's Puck Daddy blog and SI.com, among other spots.

Since then, all Thompson has done is turn away 138 of 147 shots directed his way (.939 save percentage) and helped steer the Spruce Kings to top spot in the Mainland Division, where they sit at 11-4-1-1.

To paraphrase Astle from that goal, this kid Thompson could run for mayor, if he keeps it up.

"I saw it everywhere," Thompson, 20, said of the Azurdia highlight. "All my buddies were texting me, all my teammates from the past. It was a great goal. You have to hand it to the guy."

It was the only marker Thompson gave up that night. He started the evening on the bench, but came on late in the first period after 16-year-old backup Liam McLeod allowed three goals on 11 shots. Thompson says that he’s glad it was him on the end of that play, instead of McLeod, because he’s well aware how hard, mentally, it can be on a young goalie in junior hockey.

He should know.

Two years ago, Thompson was 7-26-1, with a 3.91 goals against average and a .888 save percentage for the Spruce Kings. Last year, he moved to 15-14-1, with a 2.83 GAA and a .906 save percentage. This recent run has him at 10-3-1, with a 2.27 GAA and a .921 save percentage so far in 2012-13.

"I think I've built up a lot of confidence this year," said Thompson.

Now, he's looking to build up his resumé in order to land an NCAA scholarship. Other goalies near the top of the stats charts in the league have deals already — like Penticton Vees backstop Chad Katunar, who is off to Notre Dame; and Coquitlam Express netminder Cole Huggins, who has committed to Minnesota State.

"I need to keep doing what I'm doing," said Thompson, the 5-foot-11, 170-pound Surrey native. "I'd like to think it's a matter of time before someone takes notice and wants to commit to me. I've had contact from a few teams, but I think everyone is waiting to see how I keep doing."

sewen@theprovince.com
twitter.com/steveewen

Luedtke, A Small Part of the Spruce Kings Wins

Citizen photo by Dave Mah
Jeremiah Luedtke (14) battles with Dustin Cave (22)

The following article on Jeremiah Luedtke and the Spruce Kings win on Saturday night is being reposted here from the Prince George Citizen's website. The interview with Jeremiah was done on Friday night prior to the game where he was the honourary captain for the Pink in the Rink game.

I do have to point out that I had to make a correction to the season record of all three teams from the original article to include the games played this past weekend. But also want to point out that she did a wonderful job in ensuring the use of the team's full name - Spruce Kings - throughout the article, thank you!

Sheri Lamb, Prince George Citizen staff

Small in stature Jeremiah Luedtke has learned to use his size to his advantage on the ice.

"I've always been small so I've gotten used to that so it doesn't really faze me," said the five-foot-eight forward for the Prince George Spruce Kings.

But it doesn't mean the 18-year-old is not secretly praying he takes after dad Jerry and has a late growth spurt. Jerry is six-foot-two.

For Spruce Kings head coach Dave Dupas the prospect of the shifty playmaker taking after his dad is music to the ears.

"If he grows he's going to be scary because he has an edge to him and great, great skill," said Dupas.

So far this season the B.C. Hockey League rookie forward has found himself a bit snake bitten in the offensive zone with only one goal and seven points through 17 games, but Dupas isn't too worried.

"He's had hard luck all year," said Dupas. "He's creating all kinds of chances for himself and I see him practice all the time and I know he can score - he hits the corners and he makes good moves - but in games right now it's just not going in for him.

"Eventually they will start to go in, he has that much talent and when they do, I think the floodgates are going to open," he added.

The floodgates opened a little Saturday night for Luedtke in the Spruce Kings 4-3 overtime win over the West Kelowna Warriors in front of 1,023 witnesses at the Coliseum. With the game tied at 2 midway through the third period, Luedtke picked up the puck left by linemate Chad Staley at the side of the Warriors' net, showed patience and threaded a perfect pass onto Justin Rai's stick for the go-ahead goal.

Luedtke has known Staley for years as the two Washington natives had played against each other for years before teaming up last season for the under-18 Wenatchee Wild in the North American Prospects Hockey League.

"We have really good chemistry together," said Luedtke. "We just hang out all the time and we've known each other for a while now and have played together a lot, our playing styles are the same."

Together with Rai, the threesome, also known as the Cascade Express after the metro train that passes through all their hometowns from Surrey to Lynnwood to Kennewick, have many fans on the edge of their seats when they take to the ice.

Last season, Luedtke played in 22 games for the Wild, notching nine goals and 16 points and had a goal in four playoff games. He knew the adjustment to the BCHL - where the players are bigger, faster and smarter - was going to be tough.

"You've just got to play your role and get used to playing on all lines because you're going to have to go through it," said Luedtke. "Because I'm a rookie I'm going to have to be a fourth liner and I'll get up to the second line or first line when I can."

The good news for the Spruce Kings (11-4-1-1) is every line has contributed so far this season, making ice times relatively even across all four lines. Saturday's overtime win over the Warriors (8-3-0-5) combined with the Chilliwack Chiefs (10-4-1-1) 5-1 loss in Vernon propelled the Spruce Kings into first place in the Mainland division.

Former BCMML Cariboo Cougar Seb Lloyd and Brent Lashuk gave the Warriors a 2-0 advantage but the Spruce Kings fought back Saturday to tie the game after 40 minutes on goals by Liam Board and captain Trevor Esau.

After Luedtke fed Rai to put the Spruce Kings up 3-2, Brennan Clark tied the game for the Warriors to send the game into the four on four, five-minute overtime period. Tyson Witala banged home a rebound off defenceman Mitch Eden's shot to give the home side their sixth consecutive win.

"When everyone's contributing coach puts us all out there," said Luedtke. "It's great to see everyone playing and everyone scoring."

National Rankings

For the first time in their in the BCHL, the Prince George Spruce Kings have garnered the attention of the CJHL appearing on their weekly rankings. The team has been flying under the radar for most of the season even after picking up wins against other ranked teams around the BCHL.

This is truly a feel good moment for the team and the city that has been rallying around the Spruce Kings. The players and the coaches are all taking it in stride and quietly reveling in the spotlight but also remaining grounded in their resolve to continue with their game plan.

"We didn't start the season looking to be ranked, we want to be the best team on the ice in each of our games and that is our focus," was one of the quotes from Dave Dupas when asked about the team's current record and performance. "The rankings are just a byproduct of the hard work of the guys on the ice."

"Falling off those rankings will be easier than climbing up," added the captain, Trevor Esau. "We want to climb up those rankings and that is going to be harder now."

Esau has seen the evolution of the team from a non-playoff team to its current status as a ranked team and wants to make sure his final year of junior hockey remains a positive one. "It is an honour to be playing for the Spruce Kings right now," Esau told me. "We all want to make something of our time in Prince George and for the city that we call home during the hockey season."

Below is the official press release from the Spruce Kings following the release of the National Rankings by the CJHL on October 29th.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRINCE GEORGE, BC – The latest Top 20 rankings of the Canadian Junior Hockey League were released earlier today with the Prince George Spruce Kings of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) ranked twentieth in the nation.

Currently on a six game winning streak with a season record of 11-4-1-1, the Spruce Kings are leading the Mainland Division and are third overall in the BCHL. This is the first appearance in the CJHL Top Twenty for the Spruce Kings this season and puts them on the list with Penticton Vees (6), Victoria Grizzlies (10) and Chilliwack Chiefs (HM).

The CJHL Rankings are comprised each week in conjunction with NHL Central Scouting and are based upon a variety of factors including the league in which the teams belong to as well as recent regular season results.

The following are the CJHL Top 20 (As of Oct. 29, 2012) with the league they are members of in brackets.

1. Brooks Bandits (AJHL)
2. Truro Bearcats (MHL)
3. Trenton Golden Hawks (OJHL)
4. Melville Millionaires (SJHL)
5. OCN Blizzard (MJHL)
6. Penticton Vees (BCHL)
7. Flin Flon Bombers (SJHL)
8. Yorkton Terriers (SJHL)
9. Minnesota Wilderness (SIJHL)
10. Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL)
11. Soo Thunderbirds (NOJHL)
12. Winnipeg Blues (MJHL)
13. Newmarket Hurricanes (OJHL)
14. Whitecourt Wolverines (AJHL)
15. Summerside Western Capitals (MHL)
16. Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL)
17. St. Michael's Buzzers (OJHL)
18. Saint Jerome Pantheres (LHJAAAQ)
19. Smiths Falls Bears (CCHL)
20. Prince George Spruce Kings (BCHL)

Honourable Mention: Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL), Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL), Swan Valley Stampeders (MJHL), Nepean Raiders (CCHL), Yarmouth Jr. 'A' Mariners (MHL).

The CJHL is an amalgamation of 10 Junior A hockey leagues from across Canada. Official Release from the CJHL.

Spruce Kings Shake Off Warriors

Jeremiah Luedtke (14) was the Spruce Kings
Honourary Captain for their Breast Cancer Awareness Game

The Coliseum was shaking twice on Saturday night, first from the earthquake and again after Tyson Witala's overtime winner for the Prince George Spruce Kings.

Witala buried a rebound off a Mitch Eden shot at 2:06 of the extra session to give the Spruce Kings a 4-3 win over the visiting West Kelowna Warriors and extend their season-high winning streak to six.

The Spruce Kings overcame a 2-0 deficit then built a 3-2 lead only to see the game go to extra time. In the end the two points gives Prince George sole possession of first place in the Mainland Division as the second month of the regular season draws to a close.

The Warriors got on the board first, with Prince George product Seb Lloyd lifting the puck over Spruce Kings goaltender Kirk Thompson at 16:30 of the opening period. Lloyd, who had a vocal cheering section, was named the game's third star.

West Kelowna opened up a two-goal advantage early in the second when Brent Lashuk beat Thompson with a high shot at 3:50. The Warriors also had a big advantage on the shot counter at that point and appeared poised to hand the Spruce Kings their first regulation loss on home ice this season.

The Prince George power play had something to say about that. In their one and only chance with the man advantage, the Spruce Kings wasted little time with Treasure Trove Casino first star of the game Liam Board taking a feed from second star Shayne Morrissey and beating Warriors starter Garrett Rockafellow at 5:06.

Shortly after that the building shook as Prince George felt some effects of a West Coast earthquake. The game didn't stop during the slight shake, although the lights at the top of the Coliseum were swaying noticeably.

Moments later the Spruce Kings drew even as Morrissey won an offensive-zone face-off back to captain Trevor Esau, who blasted a shot through Rockafellow's five-hole. The tying goal came at 9:26 of the middle stanza.

Perhaps the prettiest goal of the night came at 12 minutes of the third period as the home side took their first lead of the game. College Heights Dairy Queen player of the game Chad Staley drove to the net, but the puck was knocked off his stick, but it went right to Jeremiah Luedtke. Standing just to the left of Rockafellow, nobody would have blamed Luedtke for trying his luck with a shot, but the Spruce Kings honorary captain was patient and spotted the trailing Justin Rai. The pass was perfect and Rai blasted home the go-ahead goal.

The Warriors didn't go away easily with Brennan Clark beating Thompson at 15:41 to tie the game 3-3 and force extra time.

In the extra session it was Eden, the Fortis Energy player of the game, who set up Witala's heroics. The Spruce Kings defenceman has never been afraid to join the rush and with the extra space in the 4-on-4 situation, used his speed to drive to the net.

Although his backhand was stopped, Witala sent the crowd home happy. Thompson finished with 24 saves, while Rockafellow had 19.

The Spruce Kings are on the road next weekend, heading back to the Lower Mainland for games in Langley and Surrey. The next home game is Nov. 10 when the Fitzgerald triplets and the Victoria Grizzlies visit the Castle.

Game Preview: vs West Kelowna Warriors

Pink in the Rink

There are things that transcend the game and certainly this is one of them. Breast cancer is the leading form of cancer among women and can strike men as well. Minimizing risks, finding preventive measures and ultimately finding a cure are all very important steps in the elimination of this deadly disease.

Tonight the Canadian Cancer Society and the Prince George Spruce Kings are asking you what your One Thing is that you can do to prevent cancer. Since the start of the season the players have participated in the program identifying many lifestyle changes that can be made to reduce the risk.

It can be as simple as going for a walk every day, eating healthier, performing a self-examination or being checked out by your doctor. The key is to know what you can do every day to reduce your risk of cancer. Get a Game Plan from the Canadian Cancer Society with tips on their website and tonight in the arena.

Along with helping to raise awareness about breast cancer tonight, the Spruce Kings will also be looking to extend their current winning streak to six games after doubling up the Alberni Valley Bulldogs last night 6-3. The first star of the game was the youngster member of the squad, Liam McLeod in his third BCHL start picked up his first Junior ‘A’ win turning aside 34 of 37 shots from the high scoring ‘dogs.

Tonight the team will take on another high flying team in the West Kelowna Warriors. Although they had their wings clipped a little last night dropping a 4-1 decision to the Penticton Vees, the Warriors are still a very dangerous team with the League’s highest goals for average. Scoring on a pace of 3.87 goals a game, the Warriors are also one of the stingiest teams with a 2.47 goals against average.

The Warriors are also a good team on the road with twice as many wins away from their own rink. The only big variable left to answer is how the overnight trip into Prince George will affect the team. The Warriors arrived early in the morning and will have their system out of sync with only a few hours of sleep in the hotel bed before getting into game mode.

The Spruce Kings have shown great resiliency through the first third of the season and have played some of their best games against the other top teams in the League. Making sure the boys are ready to go after a big emotional win last night will be key for success tonight.

Game time is 7pm and fans are encouraged to wear pink to the rink in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Bring your radios as well and listen to the call of the game with Ron St. Clair, Todd Doherty and Peter James on 93.1 CFIS-FM. If you can't make it to the game you can listen to the free online audio broadcast on CFISFM.com or watch the full broadcast online through FASTHOCKEY.com.

Spruce Kings Extend Winning Streak To Five

Liam McLeod (35) was instrumental in the Spruce Kings win
Friday night and picked up his first win in the BCHL
(photo courtesy LG Photography)

Even by Latrell Charleson's strict definition, the Prince George Spruce Kings are on a winning streak.

The Spruce Kings won their fifth straight game Friday night, downing the visiting Alberni Valley Bulldogs 6-3 at the Coliseum. Prior to the game Charleson, a Spruce Kings defencemen tweeted that four wins could be a fluke, but five is a streak.

The fifth straight win came thanks to what's become a staple of the 2012-13 Spruce Kings - offence from up and down the lineup and excellent goaltending. The six goals came from five different players on three different lines and with Kirk Thompson getting a well deserved night off between the pipes rookie Liam McLeod recorded his first BCHL win with a 34-save effort and was named Treasure Cove Casino first star.

The Spruce Kings scored within the first three minutes of each period and never trailed during the game.

Alberni Valley was actually taking the play to the Spruce Kings in the early going of the first period but Bryant Christian opened the scoring for Prince George at 2:34 - albeit against the run of play. He took a feed from FortisBC Energy Player of the Game Sean Landrey and bolted down the wing firing a shot over the glove of Bulldogs starter Brad Rebagliati. Brad Ryan also picked up an assist.

The lead was shortlived as just 50 seconds later Jared Wilson's long shot beat a screened McLeod to even the score at 1-1.

The Spruce Kings took the lead for good late in the first as Cameron Lawson tipped in Brad Ryan's point shot on the power play at 18:05. Lawson was a game time decision with a lower-body injury, but it didn't seem to slow him down as he was force all three periods and garnered second star honours.

The Spruce Kings added to their lead early in the second as Shayne Morrissey used his great hands to bang home a shot from a sharp angle at the side of the net at 2:23. Liam Board and Skylar Pacheco provided the assists.

The 3-1 lead held through two periods, but just 1:09 into the third Tyson Witala made it a three-goal lead with a controversial tally. After a shot by Lyndon Martell was stopped and juggled by Rebagliati, Witala crashed the crease, found the loose puck and deposited it past the goalie just as he was deposited on top of the goalie.

The goal was immediately ruled good by the official behind the net, but it took a lengthy discussion by the four men in stripped shirts to confirm it would stand. Martell and Coltyn Hansen got the helpers.

The Bulldogs rallied in the middle stages of the third, scoring twice in a three-minute period to get back within a goal. First the game's third star Ryan Lough beat McLeod with a power-play goal the Prince George netminder didn't have a chance on at 6:13. Then at 9:05, McLeod got a piece - but not a big enough piece - of Evan Tironese's shot as the puck trickled in.

The rookie netminder shut the door from there and got a pair of insurance markers from Hansen, the College Heights Dairy Queen player of the game.

Hansen made a nice individual effort at 12:33, cutting out from the corner, beating a defenceman and Rebagliati to restore the two-goal cushion. Rebagliati finished the night with 30 saves.

Hansen added another goal into an empty net at 19:09.

With the win the Spruce Kings improved to 10-4-1-1 and kept pace with Chilliwack for first place in the Mainland Division.

The Spruce Kings are back in action on Saturday night when the West Kelowna Warriors visit the Castle.