Spruce Kings split a pair of high-scoring games against Cowichan

The goal lights at the Kopar Memorial Arena got a much-needed workout within a 24-hour span.

That’s because the Cowichan Valley Capitals and Prince George Spruce Kings virtually made every shot count during a weekend double-header, which ended in a split.

On Friday, Brock Cummings capped off a dramatic 6-5 overtime win for the Spruce Kings against the Caps, his former BCHL club in front of 1,087 fans.

The 19-year-old Dartmouth commit, registered a goal and two assists including the game-winning set up for Ethan Montroy who put just enough juice on an airborne puck to beat goaltender Alexei Noskov.

The never-ending thrill ride of a game began in the first period with the Spruce Kings darting out to a 3-0 edge within the first 11 minutes.

Cummings played a sharp bounce off the corner board and slapped a loose puck into the yawning cage following a Trent LeDrew point shot.

Will Moore doubled the Spruce Kings advantage as his wrist shot beat the stick side of Noskov – the play began courtesy of a block shot by rookie defenceman Jayden Connors.

Skogen Schrott blasted a one-timer past Noskov a mere seven seconds into a power-play to make it 3-0.

However, PG ran into some penalty trouble of their own and gave up singles to Camden Bajzer, Luca Primarano (former Spruce King) and Carter Streek.

In the second, more quick strike offense was what the doctor ordered with both teams lighting the lamp four times in a span of 1:17.

Brogan McNeill tallied twice for PG while Streek and Ben Portner responded for Cowichan.

The Spruce Kings outshot the Capitals 39-28 and went 1-for-5 on the power-play while the visitors were 3-for-5.

Noskov took the loss in net for Cowichan making 33 saves. Ryder Green was credited with the win making all nine saves in relief of Spruce Kings starter Carter Wishart who was yanked after allowing five goals on 19 shots.

It was a much different story on Saturday as Cowichan snapped back with an 8-4 triumph over PG in front of a crowd of 991 spectators.

The Capitals flipped the script on the Spruce Kings in the first period jumping out to a 3-0 edge courtesy of Hayden Russell, Gavin Giesbrecht and Brayden Sinclair.

PG stormed back in the second with three consecutive markers, two of which came from Schrott while Montroy accounted for the other single.

Before the end of the period, Giesbrecht tallied his second of the contest with 1:57 remaining.

In the third, the Capitals pounded the Spruce Kings into submission with four more goals from Sinclair, Russell along with Cole Keen and Andoni Fimis.

Ryan Wachtel collected his first BCHL goal for PG with less than seven minutes remaining.

Ryder Green allowed eight goals on 34 shots while Dylan Krick made 36 stops in the win for the Capitals (8-8-1-0).

PG falls to 6-9-2-1 and hit the road next weekend with a pair road games next Friday and Saturday against Langley (8-6-3-1) and Chilliwack (13-3-2-0).