The Prince George Spruce Kings have missed having their captain on the ice to share the load the last few weeks.
So it was welcome sight Friday night at Rolling Mix Concrete Arena for the Spruce Kings’ faithful among the 970 in attendance when Nolan Welsh returned to the lineup after missing three games with a hip flexor injury.
Welsh made up for lost time in a hurry, scoring all three of his team’s goals, including the game-winner 1:09 into overtime, to give the Kings a 3-2 win over the Chilliwack Chiefs. His first BCHL hat trick came at a great time for the Spruce Kings (5-6-2-1), who lost all three games while Welsh was out of the lineup.
The win moved them within six points of the Chiefs (8-5-2-1), who hold down second place in the Mainland Division standings.
Playing on a line with Corey Cunningham and Preston Brodziak, Welsh’s first of the night was the only goal of the first period and it came while the Kings were shorthanded. He took the puck from Nick Poisson and beat goalie Mathieu Caron.
Welsh made it 2-0 in the second period before the Chiefs countered with goals from Dawson Good and Peter Reynolds to even the count by the end of the period.
Jett Alexander played exceptionally well in net for the Kings, especially in the third period when the Kings were outshot 13-6. Alexander stopped 35 of 37 shots he faced n the game. The Kings had three shots on Caron and did not allow the Chiefs any in overtime.
The teams will meet again tonight at RMCA.
