There just something about playing the Alberni Valley Bulldogs that brings out the best in Nicholas Poisson.
He’s the leading scorer for the Prince George Spruce Kings and Tuesday night in Parksville he added two more goals to his season total to help the Spruce Kings lock up a 4-3 victory over the host Bulldogs to kick off a five-game, nine-day roadtrip Wednesday BC. Hockey League roadtrip.
Poisson’s second of the game, 5:25 into the third period, was his 11th goal and 30th point in 27 games and it capped the Kings’ comeback after they fell behind 3-0. The Bulldogs scored all three of their goals in a span of 4:19 to start the second period.
Steven Castagna, Josh Pederson and Ryan Doolin scored on Kings goalie Jett Alexander before Poisson got the Kings’ offence untracked with a power-play goal 12 minutes into the second period. Nolan Welsh made it a 3-1 game late in the period and defenceman Jaxon Steele tied it 3-3 at even strength 1:38 into the third period.
The Spruce Kings poured the pepper on Bulldogs goalie Jackson Glassford early in the game, firing 19 shots on the 18-year-old from Qualicum Beach. Prince George outshot the Bulldogs 41-33 in the game as Alexander improved his record to 10-10-0.
Poisson scored two goals and added two assists against the Bulldogs in their only their head-to-head encounter Sept. 27 in Prince George, which ended up an 8-2 Spruce Kings’ victory.
Tuesday’s win moved the Spruce Kings (10-12-2-3) within four points of the Chilliwack Chiefs for second place in the Mainland Division.
The game was played in Parksville because the Bulldogs’ home rink in Port Alberni, Alberni Valley Multiplex, is still closed after an ammonia leak was discovered in the ice plant Nov. 3.
The Kings are back on the ice Wednesday night in Nanaimo against the Island Division-leading Nanaimo Clippers (18-6-1-1). The trip continues for Prince George Friday in Merritt, followed by a game in Wenatchee next Monday. Their tour wraps up a week from Wednesday in Penticton.
