Cougars Fall to Thunderbirds to Snap Five Game Win Streak

January 4, 2025 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince George Cougars News Release

PRINCE GEORGE, BC - The Prince George Cougars saw their five game winning streak come to a close after a 3-1 setback to the Seattle Thunderbirds, Friday at the CN Centre.

Borya Valis supplied the lone tally for the Cougars which came in the final minutes of the hockey game.

After no scoring in the opening period, the T-Birds opened a two-goal lead in the second stanza, finding the back of the net at 7:10 and 15:17. In the third, Prince George poured it on, out-shooting the T-Birds 10-3. In the final minutes with the Cougar net empty, Borya Valis slid home his 18th goal of the season at 18:39 to put Prince George within one goal. The Cougars continued the pressure, however, the Thunderbirds delivered the dagger at 19:46 with an empty net goal to give them a 3-1 win to snap a five-game losing skid.

Stats & Standouts

With an assist in the setback, Riley Heidt moved to 222 career assists and is now 13 assists shy of tying Mark Morrison's record of 235.

Tonight marks the Cougars first regular season home loss to Seattle since October of 2022.

They Said It...

General Manager and Head Coach Mark Lamb on the game...

https://media.chl.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2025/01/04042456/Mark-Lamb-Post-Game-Jan-3.mp3

What's Next?

The Cougars return to action at the CN Centre on Saturday January 4th against the Seattle Thunderbirds.

Next Game: Saturday, Jan. 4 vs Seattle | 6:00 pm

Next Home Game: Saturday, Jan. 4 vs Seattle | 6:00 pm

• Discuss this story on the Western Hockey League message board...

Western Hockey League Stories from January 4, 2025

• Wild Power Play Scores Thrice as Wenatchee Downs Portland Saturday, 6-3 - Wenatchee Wild
• Whitehead's Overtime Winner Lifts Pats to Victory in Red Deer - Regina Pats
• Mayes' Laser Knocks Out Kamloops, Chiefs Win 3-2 - Spokane Chiefs
• Oil Kings Earn Second Straight Win Over Hurricanes - Edmonton Oil Kings
• Rockets Shut Down By Giants On Home Ice - Kelowna Rockets
• Broncos Drop 5-2 Decision in Medicine Hat - Swift Current Broncos
• Tigers Buck Broncos - Medicine Hat Tigers
• Hawks Drop 6-3 Contest to Wild - Portland Winterhawks
• Third Period Comeback Falls Short Against Saskatoon - Moose Jaw Warriors
• Hadland the Star as Wheat Kings Win Playoff-Style Contest with Raiders - Brandon Wheat Kings
• Hitmen Acquire Carson Birnie from Red Deer - Calgary Hitmen
• Rebels Complete Trade with Hitmen - Red Deer Rebels
• Game Preview: Cougars vs. Thunderbirds - Prince George Cougars
• Hitmen Acquire Vancouver Canucks Prospect Sawyer Mynio from Thunderbirds - Calgary Hitmen
• T-Birds Acquire Mayes and Burrett - Seattle Thunderbirds
• Game Preview: Game 39 vs Swift Current Broncos - Medicine Hat Tigers
• Chiefs Host Blazers in First Home Game of 2025 - Spokane Chiefs
• Tigers Drop First of Home and Home with Swift - Medicine Hat Tigers
• Oil Kings and Hurricanes Three-In-Three Shifts to Edmonton - Edmonton Oil Kings
• Broncos Look to Sweep Weekend Series with Tigers - Swift Current Broncos
• Game Day Hub: January 4 vs. Wenatchee - Portland Winterhawks
• Cougars Fall to Thunderbirds to Snap Five Game Win Streak - Prince George Cougars
• Hood Records 1st WHL Shutout as G-Men Blank Wild - Vancouver Giants
• Vancouver Strikes to Break Third-Period Deadlock Friday in 3-0 Wenatchee Defeat - Wenatchee Wild
• T-Birds Claw Past Prince George - Seattle Thunderbirds
• Americans Edge Winterhawks in Shootout - Tri-City Americans

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

• Cougars vs. Wild: Game Preview
• Cougars Use Big Third Period to Defeat Wild at CN Centre
• Cougars vs. Wild: Game Preview
• Cougars' Seven-Game Win Streak Snapped in Hard-Fought Battle against Giants
• Cougars Collect Seventh Straight Win In Thrilling Fashion Over Silvertips