It’s only been five games, and the Prince George Spruce Kings have already been on two different streaks to start the 2024-25 BCHL season.
After starting 2-0, the Spruce Kings suffered their third consecutive defeat on Saturday, dropping a 6-2 decision to the Coquitlam Express in front of 789 fans at the Kopar Memorial Arena.
James Shannon collected his fifth of the season at the 8:40 mark of the first period as his quick blast went past a surprised Ryder Green to make it 1-0 Express.
Less than four minutes later, an errant cross-ice pass by Spruce Kings defenseman Evan Bellamy found the stick of Thomas Zocco who bolted on a clear-cut break away and beat Green to extend Coquitlam’s lead to a pair after 20 minutes.
Ty Paisley put the Spruce Kings on the board at 6:04 of the second period, courtesy of a one-time pass from Aiden Souligny solving Coquitlam goaltender Eric Young.
However, the quick-strike attack of the Express once again proved to be PG’s downfall as Cale Colwell, Andrej Kovacevic and Liam Loughery all lit the lamp in an eight-minute span putting the visitors on cruise control enjoying a 5-1 lead at the second intermission.
Bellamy (PG) and Nate Crema (Coquitlam) traded goals in the third period.
The Spruce Kings went 2-for-5 on the power-play while the Express converted once on four opportunities.
Green made 24 saves in defeat for PG who drop to 2-3 on the campaign while Young backstopped the undefeated Express to a 27-save performance.
PG continues its four-game home stand Friday (7pm) and Saturday (6pm) against the Surrey Eagles (2-2-0-0).
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