Tigers Double Spruce Kings

Wednesday, May 09, 2007 04:01 AM

Spruce Kings Tyler Helfrich battles for position in front of Aurora net.

Tyler Helfrich did his best to lead the Prince George Spruce Kings into the RBC Royal Bank Cup playoffs, but too many passengers left the Kings in a must-win situation at the Canadian junior A hockey championship in Prince George. Helfrich scored 2 goals and assisted on the other as the Kings fell to the Aurora Tigers 6-3 before 3127 at CN Centre.

The Spruce Kings forward was obviously frustrated in watching defensive blunders end in Aurora goals.

“Guys decided when they want to turn it on and you can’t do that, these teams are too good, you have to play 60 minutes, mental breakdowns are just killing us,” Tyler Helfrich said.

Three defensive miscues cost the Kings goals in a game Aurora never trailed, holding period leads of 2-1 and 4-2. Prince George penalties produced 3 goals from the Tigers power play.

“We are playing stupid hockey,” Helfrich said. “I am not going to sugar coat it, you know we are taking slashing and holding penalties, all penalties when you are not moving your feet, it’s almost we’re just happy to be here and that’s not good enough.

Helfrich had scored in the third period to pull the Spruce Kings within 4-3, but another PG penalty resulted in the Tigers Paul Zanette adding his second power play goal of the night.

“We are not getting much from some of our older players,” Spruce Kings head coach Ed Dempsey said.

The Tigers, who have not lost back-to-back games all season, qualify for the playoffs, alongside the Camrose Kodiaks.

The 1-2 Spruce Kings need a win tonight at 7pm against 1-2 Selkirk to be assured of skating in Saturday’s semi-finals.

“We know going in we needed two wins, so let’s get it done,” Dempsey said.

The 1-1 Pembroke Lumber Kings go against 2-0 Camrose at 2pm at CN Centre.

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