SPRUCE KINGS BLANK EXPRESS

Jack MacNab cuts to the net - Photo courtesy of Damon James

For a team that is trying to lockdown first place in the Mainland division and fine tune their game for the playoffs, the Spruce Kings would be proud of their effort in a 3-0 win over the Express. Click here for boxscore

The Express did outshoot the Spruce Kings 29-18, but for the most part they were able to keep the quality scoring chances for the Express to a minimum.

Devon Mussio dressed for his 100th game in an Express uniform
Photo courtesy of Damon James

Jack MacNab thought he opened the scoring for the Express, he got a pass in the Spruce Kings goal crease, and somehow the puck never entered the net in the best chance for either team of the first period.

Ryan Stack made his Express debut Saturday night against his old team. He did a good job to fight the puck into the Spruce Kings zone, then once he got deep was able to set up Eric Linell in the slot who was stopped by Bradley Cooper. Then Devon Mussio couldn't finish on the rebound. For Mussio, he played in his 100th career game in an Express uniform Saturday.

14 seconds into the second period the ice was broken. Ben Brar converted a pass out of the corner from Ethan De Jong tipping it past Brock Hamm for a 1-0 Spruce Kings lead. At the other end the Express fired 12 shots the way of Bradley Cooper who was perfect through 40.

Throughout the game the Spruce Kings did have some good shifts possessing the puck in the Express zone that slowly ticked down the clock. They were also content to ice the puck in the third period to eat away at the clock.

The Express got their best chance of the third period off one of those icing calls when Jake Toor was set up alone in the slot, but his shot went off the glove of Cooper who made his best save of the night with about 5 minutes to play.

Eric Linell - Photo courtesy of Damon James

Prince George's patience and structured play late in the 3rd period finally paid off with some insurance with just over two minutes to play on a goal by Ben Poission who beat Hamm on a two on one.

Then Ethan De Jong capped off the scoring with a empty net goal at 19:33.

Saturday's game was a pretty tidy matchup with the Express going 0 for 2 on the power play. Prince George couldn't convert on their only man advantage of the night.

The Express now sit 5 points up on Cowichan Valley in the overall league standings and the race for a playoff spot. Prince George broke away from a three way log jam atop of the Mainland division with the win combined with Surrey's OT loss and Langley's regulation loss Saturday night.

The Express return to action Thursday afternoon when they will play a high noon affair with Surrey.