Spruce Kings Qualify for Royal Bank Semi-finals

By Kelly Sharp

Goalie Jordan White stopped 33 shots in the Spruce Kings 2-1 victory over Selkirk

Prince George Spruce Kings are two victories away from capturing the Canadian junior A hockey championship, not bad for a team that was knocked out in the first round of the BCHL playoffs. The host team of the RBC Royal Bank Cup relied upon outstanding goaltending and two third period goals in a 2-1 victory over the Selkirk Steelers before 2878 at CN Centre. Jordan White played his best game of the tournament, beginning in the opening scoreless period when Selkirk outshot Prince George 14-8.

“I really needed a bounce back game, things really didn’t go well for me last night,” said White referring to the Kings 6-3 loss to Aurora. One of White’s biggest saves out of 33 on the night came with 11 seconds left in the second period. He turned aside a pair of point blank shots to preserve a scoreless tie after 40 minutes.

“Jordan White won that game for us,” Spruce Kings coach Ed Dempsey said.

“He kept us in the first 30 minutes when we were back on our heels.”

The Kings offense came to life in the third, Jason Yuell beat Steelers Andrew Leslie only 58 seconds into the period. Selkirk tied it 1-1 when White made the initial save on Adam Sergerie before Wes Pawluk tucked the puck past the sprawled Prince George goalie.

Less than a minute later the Kings power play finally solved Leslie. Jordan Inglis converted a pass from Chris Shudo and the Spruce Kings were on their way to a 2-2 record, more importantly a playoff date Saturday night at CN Centre.

“That’s all we could ask for, we came in with the mindset to make the playoffs and we reached our goal so far and we are going to push for the final,” White said.

The Spruce Kings are assured of the third seed in the semi-finals meaning they will meet either Camrose or Aurora Saturday night. The Kodiacs take on the Tigers for first place in the round robin at 2pm this afternoon. Selkirk goes against Pembroke at 7 tonight to determine the fourth and final semi-final berth.

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