Chong Min Lee, in his final season of junior hockey, is proving an invaluable asset for the Prince George Spruce Kings that's raising their stock in the B.C. Hockey League standings.
Lee scored the tying goal with just 10 seconds left in regulation time which guaranteed a point for the Kings in what turned out a 4-3 shootout loss to the league-leading Coquitlam Express Wednesday night in Coquitlam.
It was the eighth goal and 22nd point in 19 games this season for 20-year-old Korean-born right winger, who has agreed to terms on a scholarship agreement to play next season for the NCAA Division 1 University of Alaska-Anchorage Sea Wolves.
The Express and Spruce Kings played five minutes of scoreless overtime before the shootout decided it. The first three Coquitlam shooters - Connor Gregga, Massimo Rizzo and Greg Lapointe - all scored on Kings goalie Jett Alexander, while Thomas Richter was the only successful Spruce King in the shootout.
Express goalie Jack Watson denied Ryan McAllister to end the game. Watson made 18 saves as the Kings were outshot 30-21.
The point kept the Spruce Kings (8-9-2-2, third in Mainland Division) four points ahead of the fourth-place Langley Rivermen. Coquitlam (18-4-0-0) remained first overall in the BCHL, 16 points ahead of Prince George.
Gregga and Noah De La Durantaye scored for Coquitlam in regulation time. Preston Brodziak, with his eighth of the season, 57 seconds into the second period, and Evan Orr, early in the third period tied the game 2-2. The deadlock lasted until the 17:37 mark of the third, when Joshua Wildauer scored the go-ahead goal for Coquitlam, setting up Lee's last -minute heroics with Prince George goalie Jett Alexander on the bench for the extra attacker.
Lee is the eighth Spruce King on the current roster to lock up an NCAA scholarship deal.
"We are very excited for Chong Min’s commitment to the University of Alaska Anchorage,” said head coach Alex Evin, in a team release.
“Chong Min continues to improve his on ice play every season through diligent work on and off the ice. His work ethic, leadership, and skill is a pleasure to be around. As an organization, we are so proud of his opportunity at the next level and look forward to tracking his future success."
Rookie centre Fin Williams, 16, did not play Wednesday and has missed seven games since he suffered a deep cut on the back of his calf when hit by a skate blade in a collision into the boards during the Spruce Kings-Salmon Arm game Oct. 12 at RMCA.
The Kings continue their three-game roadtrip Friday night in Surrey against the Eagles (7-13-0-2, fifth in Mainland), then travel to Chilliwack to meet the Chiefs (11-7-3-1, second in Mainland) on Saturday.
The Kings return to the friendly confines of Rolling Mix Concrete Arena for three games next week. They face the Vernon Vipers on Wednesday, host the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Friday, then play the West Kelowna Warriors on Saturday.
