The Prince George Spruce Kings are just past the quarter-pole of the BCHL season and they certainly get a passing mark in their first report card of the year. The team has a winning record, appear to be well balanced offensively and defensively, and more fans are coming to the Coliseum to watch them play. 15 of 56 games are just a gage, but one should still remain cautious about long-term trends because things can change quickly with the bulk of the season remaining.

Here’s a closer look.

 

 

The Spruce Kings are 9-4-1-1 which is even more impressive since two-thirds of their games have been on the road (including two neutral site contests). With a winning percentage of .667, Prince George is a close second in the Mainland Division behind Chilliwack (9-3-1-1). The Spruce Kings have not dominated most opponents with 50 goals for and 40 against.

 

 

 

Kirk Thompson has arguably been the team MVP. The 20-year-old Thompson has a 9-3-1 record with a 2.22 GAA and .922 save percentage. He has already been a first star on four occasions, third star in another game and earlier this month was named BCHL Player of the Week after allowing just one goal in two games (Oct 12 and 13th).

Thompson has been on a mission after he was slighted last season when he lost his starting job (to now departed Ty Swabb) and was only given one start in the four playoff games.
16-year-old Liam McLeod is getting his feet wet in limited action as Thompson’s back-up.

 

 

 

Mitch Eden of Bracebridge, Ontario, who turns 18 Nov 9th, is averaging a point per game and leads the team in scoring.

 

Bradley Ryan (commited to the University of Vermont next season), Skylar Pacheco and Karan Toor have also played 15 games while Trevor Esau and Latrell Charleston round out a capable back end.

 

 

Unlike last season, the Spruce Kings do not have a forward in the top 20 of league scoring but appear well balanced. Cam Lawson (13), Coltyn Hansen (13), Justin Rai (10) and Liam Board (10) are all in double figures while Tyson Witala (9 in 11) and Lyndon Martell (9 in 10) were averaging close to a point per game before they were injured.

 

 

 

The Spruce Kings average home attendance after five games is 1,112 which is 2nd highest  in the Mainland Division and 7th highest in the league. They are slightly above the league average of 1,079.
It appears many of the fans are rejuvenated and have returned following an absence of several years.

 

As a comparison, here are the attendance figures from the previous nine BCHL seasons to watch the Spruce Kings (these numbers include playoffs)

 

947                                                    2011-12
696                                                        10-11
913                                                        09-10
1082                                                      08-09
866                                                        07-08
875                                                        06/07
1195                                                      05/06
1394                                                      04/05
1119                                                      03/04

 

 

 

The Spruce Kings are in the middle of the pack with their speciality teams: tied for 5th out of 16 on the penalty kill and 12th on the power play. They are riding a 4-game win streak and will host Alberni Valley and West Kelowna this weekend before playing five of six on the road prior to a seven game homestand.

Head Coach Dave Dupas and his staff have done an admirable job of changing the culture. It was only two years ago Dupas was hired to replace Ed Dempsey after the team hit rock bottom.
GM Mike Hawes has done a credible job of recruiting players, making trades and upgrading the roster.  The marketing of the club has been like the team performance, on the upswing.

 

 

 

Last week the team bus slid into a ditch while travelling to Langley. Fortunately, there were no injuries. As recently as the 2010-11 and 2009-10 seasons, the Spruce Kings were stuck in a ditch with no playoffs.
With cautious optimism, perhaps the team has finally dug itself out of the hole.

 

 

 

B +

 

 

 

 

During the ALCS, A-Rod had some unforgettable numbers. And he got them from two women sitting in the stands.

 

 

 

A-Rod has drawn fire for flirting with a reported bikini model during the Game 1 loss to the Tigers. A bikini model? This may redefine the top and bottom of an inning.

 

After losing Game 3 of the ALCS, Joe Girardi said nothing has come easy to the these Yankees. Unless you include getting piles of loot for embarrassing yourself.

 

 

 

 

Forbes magazine came out with its annual list of America’s most dangerous cities, and Detroit is No. 1 again. "No kidding," moaned 25 Yankees in unison.

 

 

 

Even Kirk Gibson watching Pablo Sandoval in Game 1 of the World Series had to be saying “I don’t believe what I just saw.”

After facing Barry Zito, the Detroit Tigers may protest game 1: They didn’t think it was legal for a non-knuckleball pitcher to throw that slowly.

Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, Californiawww.leftcoastsportsbabe.com

 

Carlton Fisk was arrested and charged with DUI. Officers said that he failed the field sobriety test  when he tried to wave himself fair. 

 

 

The most unpopular jersey in the New England area belongs to Ochocinco. I noticed his Patriots jerseys were in a Reduced to Clear rack for $20. So I picked one up, the clerk came over and thanked me, then he handed me 20 bucks. 

 

Ottawa has been approved for a CFL team again. Winnipeg asks “Why can’t we get one”? 

 

 

Four Texas women were recently charged with criminal fraud for allegedly cheating during a fishing tournament. Now they will have to face the scales of justice.

 

An experimental project in which 100 tonnes of iron sulphate were dumped into the ocean off B.C.’s north coast is sparking controversy. Experts say they do not know if the dump will be effective or ruin the chances for new growth. In related news the Vancouver Canucks are still trying to dump the contract of Roberto Luongo.