Cougars Can't Catch up to Portland

February 27, 2022 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince George Cougars News Release

Prince George Cougars centre Riley Heidt leads the charge against the Portland Winterhawks
(Prince George Cougars, Credit: James Doyle)

Riley Heidt scored a pair of goals and finished with three points. He was also named the game's first star. Hudson Thornton extended his goal scoring streak to three games with his second period marker. Koehn Ziemmer chipped in with a pair of assists. Goaltender Tyler Brennan turned aside 31 of 36 shots in net.

James Stefan and Gabe Klassen each had a pair of goals for Portland. Stefan had three points and he and Klassen also factored into the three stars. Dante Giannuzzi turned aside 29 of 32 shots in the Winterhawks' net.

Portland led 1-0 through 20 minutes on a power play goal by Stefan. In the second, two goals by Klassen bookended Thornton's 12th goal of the season, as the Winterhawks led 3-1 after two periods.

After the Winterhawks went up 4-1 17-seconds into the third, Heidt scored a pair of goals to put the Cougars within a goal of tying it. However, Stefan scored his second of the game 39-seconds after Heidt had made it 4-3, as Portland went back up by two goals and never looked back.

Portland won all four games of the season series and have won seven-straight games against the Cougars, dating back to the 2018-19 season.

NOTES Riley Heidt has seven points (3g-4a) in his last four games. Koehn Ziemmer has seven points (1g-6a) in the last five games. Hudson Thornton has goals in three-straight games and six points (3g-3a) in his last five. Ethan Samson now has six points (1g-5a) in the last five games. Prince George has lost their last seven games at the CN Centre, dating back to January 21st.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring Cougars: Riley Heidt (2), Hudson Thornton Winterhawks: Gabe Klassen (2), James Stefan (2), Tyson Kozak

Goaltending Cougars: Tyler Brennan (L), 57:09, 31 saves, 36 shots. Winterhawks: Dante Giannuzzi (W), 60:00, 29 saves, 32 shots.

Power-Play Cougars: 1/5 Winterhawks: 1/1

Shots Cougars: 32 Winterhawks: 36

Three Stars: 1) Riley Heidt 2) James Stefan 3) Gabe Klassen

Next Game: Friday, March 4th, versus Spokane Chiefs, 7:00 pm

Prince George Cougars centre Riley Heidt leads the charge against the Portland Winterhawks (James Doyle)

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