Lucas Busch Breaks Scoring Drought as Spruce Kings Triumph

Lucas Busch ended his scoring slump with a decisive goal for the Prince George Spruce Kings, leading to a 3-0 victory against his former team, the Surrey Eagles. This match took place at Kopar Memorial Arena on January 29, 2024, marking a significant moment for Busch, who had gone eight games without a goal since joining the Spruce Kings.

Busch’s breakthrough came during a power play, where he won a faceoff in the Surrey zone and received the puck from teammate Trent LeDrew. Positioned in the left circle, he unleashed a high wrist shot that found the back of the net, securing his tenth goal of the season. “It was definitely good for me to get the monkey off the back,” Busch reflected. “I went a couple of games with no goals, so it felt good.”

Transition to Success

Originally from Maple Grove, Minnesota, Busch faced challenges during his first season in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) with the Surrey Eagles, who held the last place in the standings. His situation changed dramatically when he was traded to the Spruce Kings, currently leading the Coastal East Division. This move was seen as a significant opportunity for Busch, who replaced Matic Percic, who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury.

“The trade deadline was approaching, and I wanted to go somewhere to win,” Busch said. “I got fortunate enough to come to the first team in the division, and I’m really happy with it.” His enthusiasm for joining the Spruce Kings stemmed from their competitive spirit and camaraderie. “We have a really great group here; everyone’s close. We’re just brothers in the dressing room.”

Playing alongside top scorers Marcus Lougheed and Tai Ushio has further energized Busch. “They’re great players, they play fast and smart, and always know where I am,” he noted. With the playoffs approaching, Busch expressed confidence in the team’s ability to succeed. “I think we’ve got the group to go all the way, and that’s the plan.”

Game Highlights and Team Performance

In addition to Busch’s goal, Mason Loewen and Spencer Masters contributed to the Spruce Kings’ scoring. Ryder Green, the team’s goaltender, achieved his third shutout of the season, stopping all 21 shots faced. Green’s performance was particularly impressive, especially after a lesson learned from a previous game against another last-placed team.

“I’d say this was more like a team shutout for us,” Green commented. “The boys gave me some really easy shots tonight, nothing I couldn’t handle.” The Spruce Kings outshot the Eagles significantly, with a total of 40 shots compared to Surrey’s 27.

Loewen opened the scoring early in the first period, and his consistent performance has seen him secure points in 10 of the last 14 games. He scored his 14th goal of the season with a well-placed shot from the front of the net, assisted by River Arnason.

Busch’s goal came during the team’s fourth power play attempt, finally converting after several opportunities had been denied. Masters added the third goal in the third period, sealing the victory with a low shot just past the halfway mark.

As the Spruce Kings continue their campaign, they hold a firm position at 28 wins, 14 losses, and 2 overtime losses. They are five points ahead of the second-place Coquitlam Express, who recently experienced a shocking 9-5 loss to the Langley Rivermen after leading 4-0.

Green emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum as the playoffs approach. “With our home games, we have to get the momentum at home and bring it on the road,” he said. “We’ve got nine more games and then playoffs.”

Looking ahead, the Spruce Kings are set to face the Eagles again on March 21, 2024, at 18:00. Following that, they will have only two remaining home games before the BCHL playoffs begin on April 3, 2024. If standings remain unchanged, the Spruce Kings will open the playoffs against the fourth-place Langley in a best-of-seven series.