Game Preview: Round 2, Game 1 at PEN
Published on April 10, 2026 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince George Cougars News Release
PENTICTON, BC - The Prince George Cougars and Penticton Vees will begin their Western Conference Semi-Final tonight at the South Okanagan Events Centre.
When: Friday, April 10
Puck Drop: 7:00 pm
Prince George Cougars Roster Breakdown (Birth Year):
2005-born players (3) - Dumanski, Gizowski, Seitz
2006-born players (7) - Souch, Ashe, Parascak, Vaughan, Ravensbergen, Levshyn, Sobry
2007-born players (6) - Foster, Yakutsenak, Shurgot, Lajoie, Anisimov, Fisher
2008-born players (7) - Kozicky, Lemire, Finnegan, Cahill, Carels, Johnston, Funk
2009-born players (2) - Hajt, Wotherspoon
Penticton Vees Roster Breakdown (Birth Year):
2005-born players (4) - Stevenson, Danis, Evers, Birnie
2006-born players (12) - Alstead, Tastad, Drancak, Reyelts, McCallum, Wehmann, Valiant, Pederson, Petersen, Michaud, Johnson, Weber
2007-born players (3) - Stone, Norrie, Kvasnicka
2008-born players (4) - Burick, Milford, Alger-East, DeMars
Round 1:
The Cougars showcased their ability to win in various ways during their six-game opening-round victory over the Spokane Chiefs.
Josh Ravensbergen was stellar, Brock Souch finished tied for third among all Round 1 skaters with 11 points, while Kooper Gizowski and Terik Parascak owned with eight points each.
The Cats power-play operated at an incredible rate, compiling nine goals on 17 opportunities which ranks first in the WHL (52.9%)
With the victory, Prince George punched their ticket to the Western Conference Semi-Final for the third time in the last four seasons.
"It was a hard series that had a little bit of everything," said GM & Head Coach Mark Lamb. "Winning that series in six certainly wasn't easy."
Against the Vees:
The Cougars defeated the Vees in the last meeting between the two clubs back at CN Centre in March which saw Brock Souch score the OT winner.
Souch leads all Cougars in scoring against Penticton with eight
In terms of special teams in the season series, the Cougars were 5/19, while the penalty-kill was 4/15
"We're excited," said defenceman Carson Carels. "We have played some great hockey lately and we know we are going to have to turn it up a notch. We just need to keep focusing on our game and improve day-by-day and we can't wait to get the second round going."
In Goal:
San Jose Sharks prospect Josh Ravensbergen owned a marvellous first-round, which saw him go 4-1-1.
Ravensbergen owned two starts which saw him make 40 plus saves
In Ravensbergen's playoff career in the WHL, he owns 15 victories
The North Vancouver, BC product was named a nominee for the WHL Goaltender of the Year
On the Other Side:
The Penticton Vees enter Round 2 off the heels of a five-game series win over the Seattle Thunderbirds
New York Islanders prospect Jacob Kvasnicka paced the Vees in points with nine (5-4-9)
Penticton's power-play through their first five games is operating at 26.3% (5-19) while the Penalty-Kill is currently 13/14 which is first in the WHL
Goaltender Andrew Reyelts won all four games for Penticton in the first round
Reyelts was named a nominee for the WHL goaltender of the Year
Where to Watch Every Road Playoff Game:
You can watch every Cougars road playoff game for FREE on Victory +. You can also listen live on 94.3 The Goat. The pre-game show begins at 6:30 with play-by-play at 7:00 pm.
What's Next After This Game:
Next Game: Saturday, April 11 | Round 2, Game 2 at Penticton | 7:00 p.m. | South Okanagan Events Centre
Next Home Game: Tuesday, April 14 | Round 2, Game 3 vs. Penticton | 7:00 p.m. | CN Centre | TICKETS
Western Hockey League Stories from April 10, 2026
- Pickford OT Winner Gives Tigers 1-0 Series Lead - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Vees Drop Game 1 to Cougars - Penticton Vees
- Winterhawks Alumnus Marek Alscher Makes NHL Debut - 143rd Winterhawk of All Time - Portland Winterhawks
- McFadden Looking to be Relied on More Next Season - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Winterhawks Alumnus Marek Alscher Makes NHL Debut with Florida Panthers - Portland Winterhawks
- Game 1, Round 2 Preview: Vees vs Cougars - Penticton Vees
- Game Preview: Round 2 - Game 1 VS Hitmen - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Aasman, Anholt Named to World Under-18 Championship Canadian Coaching Staff - Lethbridge Hurricanes
- Game Preview: Round 2, Game 1 at PEN - Prince George Cougars
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