Prince George scored twice in each of the final two periods, and goaltender Kirk Thompson made 38 saves to preserve a 4-0 shutout win over the Smokies in Chase Wednesday.
Trail was unlucky to come away without a goal, as Thompson denied Smokies shooters repeatedly from start to finish, including a flurry of action on a lengthy 2-man advantage at the start of the third period.
The Smokies held a slight edge after a scoreless first period, outshooting Prince George 12-9 including chances at close range for Tyler Berkholtz, Scott Davidson and Brent Baltus.
The Spruce Kings opened the scoring 6:21 into period two, as ex-Regina Pat Lyndon Martell slotted home a snapper from a sharp angle on Trail starter Lyndon Stanwood. Sean Landrey would add a second Prince George goal with 1:54 left in the frame, firing a wrister into the top corner past the outstretched arm of Stanwood's replacement, Cody Boeckman.
Trail's best chance of the middle frame came courtesy of Alex Holland, who found time and space on a wraparound only to have Thompson slide across the crease for a desperation save.
Things got testy toward the end of the second as well after a check by Smokies forward Adam Wheeldon on hulking Prince George blueliner Bradley Ryan drew a crowd in front of the Trail bench Moments later the Spruce Kings committed a pair of quick penalties to give Trail a 1:34 five-on-three at the start of period three: despite firing 7 shots on goal, Thompson stood tall and kept Prince George's pre-season penalty-kill record perfect.
Martell would score his second goal of the night on a snapshot into the bottom left corner of the net midway through the third. The 19 year-old used his quick release after linemate Coltyn Hansen fed a pretty centring feed from the right-wing corner.
Bryant Christian would round out the scoring 1:23 later, putting home a loose puck in front of the Smokies goal.
Thompson really was though, the hero of the day for PG, as Trail enjoyed a 38-24 shots on goal advantage and forced the Spruce King netminder into several reaction saves.
My Three Stars:
1. Kirk Thompson, PGO
2. Lyndon Martell, PGO
3. Tyler Berkholtz, TRA
Up Next: The Smokies arrived in Merritt just before midnight and will enjoy an extra day in the Nicola Valley before Friday's game with the Centennials. The team will practice Thursday morning.
GAME SUMMARY
Trail: Stanwood, Boeckman, Alexander, Poulsen, Leposavic, Williams, Jones, Egli, Baltus, McCarthy, Berkholtz, Flockhart, Davidson, Foyle, A. Holland, Lucchini, Knapp, Wheeldon, McMullen, Conti.
Prince George: Thompson, Schoech, Charleson, Toor, Esau, Eden, Landrey, Luedtke, Board, Staley, Fjellstrom, Keis, Hansen, Christian, Witala, LeBrun, Disher, Martell, Ryan.
First Period
No scoring
Penalties: Williams TRA (tripping) 1:11; Jones TRA (checking to the head, misconduct), Esau PGO (roughing, misconduct) 19:42.
Second Period
1. PGO Martell (Staley) 6:21
2. PGO Landrey (Eden, Disher) 18:06
Penalties: Christian PGO (tripping) 16:07; McMullen TRA (hooking) 16:57; Charleson PGO (tripping) 19:34; Luedtke PGO (cross-checking) 19:55; Baltus TRA, Toor PGO (roughing) 20:00.
Third Period
3. PGO Martell (Hansen, Toor) 10:49 (pp)
4. PGO Christian (LeBrun, Fjellstrom) 12:11
Penalties: Leposavic TRA (slashing) 2:58; Alexander TRA, Landrey PGO (fighting, game misconduct) 7:52; Keis PGO (high-sticking) 7:58; Poulsen TRA (high-sticking) 9:53; Baltus TRA, Luedtke PGO (roughing) 17:29.
Shots On Goal: Trail: 12-10-16-38; Prince George: 9-8-7-24.
Goal: Trail: Stanwood (11-10), Boeckman (9:17 second); Prince George: Thompson.
Power Play: Trail: 0/4; Prince George: 1/4.
Referee: Brandon Liefke
Attendance: N/A
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