It was a scenario they wanted to avoid, but now must face.
For the second consecutive year, the Prince George Spruce Kings find themselves down 3-0 against the Wenatchee Wild in the BCHL Playoffs – this time it’s during the Fred Page Cup Final.
The visitors survived a push back from the Spruce Kings in front of a standing room crowd of 2,112 at the Rolling Mix Concrete Arena (RMCA) as Zak Galambos went bar down in double overtime past Evan DeBrouwer to seal the 4-3 victory.
“Unfortunately fifteen in black makes a nice play and that is our night, but we played really well and we can take that into tomorrow if anything,” says Kyle Johnson, Spruce Kings Forward.
.@SpruceKings lose 4-3 (2OT) to @WenatcheeWild1 in Game 3 at the RMCA; Kings Are now down 0-3 in the best-of-seven #BCHL Fred Page Cup Finals | #CityOfPG pic.twitter.com/P7TSMC3dt9
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) April 17, 2018
The difference in the series to this point has been the Wild’s ability to capitalize on failed clearing attempts and turnovers by the Spruce Kings, leading to increased zone time and some timely goals past DeBrouwer.
Heading into Game Four, a change in philosophy might be in order.
“We need to work on our exits as they have good defenceman who can stand on the blue line so we really have to work on getting pucks out off the glass and maybe skating them out with smarter plays while we have the puck,” says Blake Hayward, Spruce Kings Forward.
Prince George put themselves in a good position right from the start as they were even after the first period at 2-2 as Hayward and team playoff leading scorer Ethan de Jong lit the lamp.
In the second, Hayward tipped home his second of the game and fourth of the series past Wild goaltender Austin Park to put Prince George in front 3-2 after 40 minutes.
.@SpruceKings regain one-goal lead thanks to a chip-in by Blake Hayward for his 2nd of the night; they take a 3-2 advantage against @WenatcheeWild1 | #CityOfPG pic.twitter.com/e08iprfWvS
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) April 17, 2018
Jacob Modry forced overtime for Wenatchee as his seeing-eye slap shot fooled DeBrouwer and trickled underneath the post.
Eight power-plays were called in the game as Wenatchee went one-for-three (1/3) while Prince George was zero-for-five (0/5).
The shots on goal were deadlocked at 41-41.
Both teams now brace for a short turnaround as Game Four is tonight (Tuesday), 7PM from the RMCA and Hayward isn’t wanting to hang up his skates just yet.
“No one on our team is giving up, it’s the kind of situation that makes for a really good story down the line so I really think we are excited about the opportunity that we have ahead of us and go take it.”
.@SpruceKings’ leading-scorer Ethan De Jong pots a short-handed goal to tie Game 3 against @WenatcheeWild1; score stands at 1-1 in the 1st period & fans break out the rally towels | #CityOfPG pic.twitter.com/pXXjafblrV
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) April 17, 2018
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