
Cougars Fall 6-3 to Winterhawks as Weiermair's Hat Trick Helps Extend Portland's Series Lead
April 2, 2025 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince George Cougars News Release
PORTLAND, OR - The Portland Winterhawks jumped out to a 2-0 first-period lead and never looked back, defeating the Prince George Cougars 6-3 on Tuesday at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum. With the win, Portland now leads the series two games to one.
GAME SUMMARY
The Winterhawks came out flying in the opening period, registering the first six shots of the game and striking first at the 4:10 mark. A fortunate bounce off the stanchion landed on the stick of Alex Weiermair, who buried it to give Portland a 1-0 lead. Weiermair struck again at 9:33 on the power play, walking into the circle and firing a laser past Josh Ravensbergen to make it 2-0.
The Cougars found their footing as the period progressed and were rewarded at 19:07 when Bauer Dumanski finished a terrific feed from Riley Heidt, picking the top corner on Ondrej Stebetak to cut the deficit to 2-1 heading into intermission.
In the second period, Tyson Jugnauth restored Portland's two-goal lead at 3:42, but Prince George responded swiftly. Jett Lajoie and Aiden Foster capitalized on a Portland turnover, with Lajoie netting his first of the series at 4:18. Moments later, Koehn Ziemmer and Josh Zakreski dropped the gloves in a spirited bout. The Winterhawks then regained control with two crucial goals from Carter Sotheran at 10:08 and 16:29, extending their lead to 5-2 after 40 minutes.
The Cougars clawed back in the third, as Lee Shurgot notched his first WHL playoff goal at 6:51 to make it 5-3. However, Portland sealed the victory with a power-play goal at 17:08, as Alex Weiermair completed his hat trick. Prior to the goal, Riley Heidt was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct for cross-checking.
Prince George will look to bounce back with a win tomorrow to even the series and force a Game 6 at the CN Centre on Sunday.
They Said It...
Associate Coach Jim Playfair on tonight's game...
https://media.chl.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2025/04/02023630/Jim-Playfair-Post-Game-Apr-1.mp3
What's Next?
Game 4 goes tomorrow night in Portland at 7:00 pm. Game 5 will go also in Portland at 7:00 pm on Friday, April 4.
• Discuss this story on the Western Hockey League message board...
Western Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2025
- Johnson's Third Period Heroics Extend Wheat Kings' Season - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Kyle McDonough Named Western Conference Humanitarian of the Year Finalist - Portland Winterhawks
- Blades Goalie Gardner Nominated for WHL Humanitarian of the Year for Second Consecutive Season - Saskatoon Blades
- Riley Heidt Named Nominee for Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy - Prince George Cougars
- Jayden Kraus Named a Finalist for the WHL Humanitarian of the Year Award - Victoria Royals
- WHL Announces Finalists for Doug Wickenheiser Memorial Trophy - WHL
- CHL Team of the Month Presented by CCM Named for March 2025 - WHL
- Oil Kings Named Eastern Conference Finalist for WHL Business Award - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Blades Named Finalist for WHL Business Award for Third Consecutive Season - Saskatoon Blades
- WHL Announces Finalists for WHL Business Award - WHL
- Chiefs Bring First Round Back to Home Ice with Game 3 vs Vancouver Wednesday - Spokane Chiefs
- Cougars at Winterhawks: Game 4 Preview: WHL Playoffs - Prince George Cougars
- Game Preview: Round 1 - Game 4 at Swift Current Broncos - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Oil Kings Looking to Hold Home Ice with 2-1 Series Lead - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Preview: Americans vs Royals (Game Four) - April 2, 2025 - Tri-City Americans
- Broncos Look to Tie First Round Series at Home against Medicine Hat - Swift Current Broncos
- Game Day Hub: Round 1, Game 4 - Portland Winterhawks
- Cougars Fall 6-3 to Winterhawks as Weiermair's Hat Trick Helps Extend Portland's Series Lead - Prince George Cougars
- Hitmen Take 3-0 Series Lead over Blades - Calgary Hitmen
- T-Birds Double up 'Tips in Game 3 - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Tigers Fall 5-4 to Swift Current in Game 3 - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Dale Plays the Hero as Broncos Counter Back Win Game 3 Win over Tigers - Swift Current Broncos
- Americans on the brink of elimination after 3-1 loss in Game Three to Victoria - Tri-City Americans
- Winterhawks Win 6-3 over Cougars in Game 3 - Portland Winterhawks
- MacKenzie Late Goal Gives Oil Kings 2-1 Series Lead over Raiders - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Strong Start Not Enough as Blades Fall in Game 3 against Hitmen - Saskatoon Blades
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Prince George Cougars Stories
- 2025 Prince George Cougars WHL Prospects Draft Preview
- 2024-2025 Prince George Cougars Awards: Dan Hamhuis Award (Most Valuable Players): Josh Ravensbergen
- Cougars Past and Present Set for 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs
- 2024-2025 Prince George Cougars Awards: Eric Brewer Award (Defenceman of the Year): Viliam Kmec
- 2024-2025 Prince George Cougars Awards: Brett Connolly Award (Rookie of the Year): Carson Carels

