Just a shot away.
Going into the 2025 BCHL Playoffs as the eighth seed, the Prince George Spruce Kings knew they were going to have their hands full with the Chilliwack Chiefs.
The visitors scratched and clawed against the Coastal Conference’s top-seed on Friday night, but it was the Chiefs who topped the Spruce Kings 3-2 in front of 2,239 fans at the Chilliwack Coliseum.
PG wasted little time pressing the pace against the Chiefs as Brock Cummings lit the lamp a mere 3:04 into the first period, cleanly beating Montreal Canadiens goalie prospect Quentin Miller.
After getting outshot 11-3 in the first 10 minutes, Chilliwack woke up and struck twice in close succession courtesy of Brady Milburn who found a way to crack Spruce Kings goaltender Charles-Edward Gravel three minutes apart to give the hosts a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes.
Connor Arsenault made it a two-goal advantage at 14:14 of the second period connecting on a scoring play that involved former PG Cougar Arjun Bawa and Dru Mushumanski.
With 2:18 remaining in the third period, Trent LeDrew got the Spruce Kings within one thanks to his individual effort.
PG outshot Chilliwack 32-31 overall but went 0-for-4 on the power-play while the Chiefs were 2-for-5.
Gravel made 29 saves in defeat for the Spruce Kings while Miller turned aside 30 PG shots.
Chilliwack leads the best-of-seven series 1-0 with Game Two set for tonight (Saturday) at 6pm.
The series shifts back to PG for Games Three and Four Tuesday and Wednesday at 7pm from the Kopar Memorial Arena.
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