Spruce Kings dominate Chilliwack Pod awards
SHARE ON: (Christian Buono recorded 27 points inside the Chilliwack Pod. Photo credit Garrett James)
Christian Buono and Aaron Trotter of the Prince George Spruce Kings have been recognized for their stellar play during the 20-game BCHL season.
The league handed out its Chilliwack Pod awards today (Tuesday).
Buono was named Most Valuable Player and Leading Scorer. The 20-year-old lit the lamp 14 times inside the Chilliwack Coliseum while also leading the Spruce Kings in points with 27.
He wraps up his Junior A sting with 102 points in 168 regular-season games.
The Chilliwack Pod Most Valuable Player is Prince George Spruce Kings F Christian Buono! The pod’s leading scorer had several big performances this year including two hat tricks and a 3-point effort in PG’s pod-clinching game on the final day of the season
The (9-10-2-1) Cougars placed fourth in their 5-team WHL BC Division Kamloops Pod.
Despite the substantial difference in record and placing, there was a common denominator between the two local teams.
Both excelled in the net.
The Spruce Kings went with three rookies (Aaron Trotter, Jordan Fairlie, and Kobe Grant) who as a group allowed just 37 goals, second-fewest in the BCHL behind the Penticton Vees who surrendered just 23.
“We are proud of our goalies the way they improved and our entire team defense was good as well. We were not giving up a lot of scoring chances five-on-five so it was easier for them to make that transition to junior hockey,” said Spruce Kings head coach Alex Evin in an interview with Brendan Pawliw of
SHARE ON: PG Spruce Kings head coach Alex Evin (supplied by Prince George Spruce Kings)
While hoisting the Fred Page Cup wasn’t a possibility for the Prince George Spruce Kings, earning top spot at the three-team Chilliwack pod isn’t a bad consolation prize.
PG finished with a solid 14-5-0-1 record ahead of the host Chiefs and Merritt Centennials – building up momentum for next season – whenever that may be.
Head Coach Alex Evin told
MyPGNow.com the team had a nice balance of youth and experience.
“We liked our group this year. It was a mix of youth and experience and I think we have a lot of players returning next season that we are happy with. Playing these games was important for us as a program to continue building.”
Kings of the Pod; PG doubles Chilliwack to end BCHL season
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The Prince George Spruce Kings reached the top of the mountain – sort of.
A three goal first period from Christian Buono, Tanner Main and Kilian McGregor-Bennett helped pace the Spruce Kings to a 4-2 win on Sunday against the Chilliwack Chiefs.
The victory saw them claim the three-team pod, which also included the Merritt Centennials (3-17-0-0).
Abraham Weibe’s point shot at 18:05 of the opening frame trimmed the PG lead to 3-1 after the opening 20 minutes.
Undeterred, the Spruce Kings kept coming in waves in the second period.
Spruce Kings exact revenge on Merritt
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After a brief two-game slide, the Prince George Spruce Kings found themselves back in the win column.
First period goals from Linden Makow, Hunor Torszok and Christian Buono paced the BCHL’s most northern franchise to a convincing 5-1 win against the Merritt Centennials inside the Chilliwack Coliseum.
Torzsok recorded a goal and an assist against his old team and asserted his place among banged up forward group.
“I got some opportunities on the power-play and the boys were shooting the puck a lot and I did my job in front of the net and good things happened today.”