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Prince George Cougars

OT Loss Nets Cougars a Point

December 31, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince George Cougars News Release


KELOWNA, BC- The Prince George Cougars are returning to home with three out of a possible six points on their road trip, after a hard-fought 3-2 overtime setback to the Kelowna Rockets Monday at Prospera Place.

Kelowna's Liam Kindree scored the game-winner with just three seconds left in the extra frame, as the Rockets earned the extra point. Kaedan Korczak and Mark Liwiski scored in regulation for the Rockets who snapped a three-game losing streak with the win. Roman Basran earned his fifth win against Prince George as he made 15-saves in the Kelowna crease.

Prince George fought their way to an extra point as they split their three-game road trip (1-1-1-0) through Everett, Victoria, and Kelowna. The Cougars clawed back from a 2-0 first period deficit, as Cole Moberg (power-play) and Connor Bowie (short-handed) scored in regulation. Taylor Gauthier was stellar between the pipes, as he stopped 30 shots and was named the game's third star.

Special teams were a major factor in Monday's divisional showdown for the Cougars, as they scored both of their goals either on the power-play or short-handed. The penalty-kill not only produce the tying goal but killed-off a five-minute Rockets power-play in the third, when Reid Perepeluk was assessed a major penalty for kneeing. That penalty-kill preserving a 2-2 score late in the third frame.

Despite trailing 2-0 in the first 10-minutes of the first period, the Cougars got out to a good start as they outshot the Rockets early on. Kelowna's power-play goal came was just their second shot of the game. Korczak's blast from the blue-line got through traffic and gave the home team the lead 10-minutes in.

Kelowna didn't take long to double their lead. Not even two-minutes after Korczak made it 1-0, Mark Liwiski stripped the puck away from a Cougars' defenceman in the neutral zone, before scoring on the ensuing breakaway at 10:50. Two goals in 1:37.

Prince George started their comeback effort late in the first period after the Rockets got into penalty trouble. After a roughing and too many men penalties against Kelowna, the Cougars had nearly half a minute of five-on-three time. They didn't waste the opportunity.

Before the power-play, the Cougars called a timeout to talk things over and it worked. Cole Moberg made it 2-1 after he leaned into a one-timer from the left-wing with just 52-seconds left in the opening frame. Moberg's fifth of the season.

The Cougars' special teams flexed their muscles in the second period, but it was the penalty-kill stepping up. Connor Bowie tied the game, short-handed, midway through the stanza. Reid Perepeluk drove wide and purposefully fired the puck off the goalie's pad. The rebound bounce out to Bowie who was charging the net and he put the puck in before himselfas he fell into the net seconds after scoring.

The Rockets made a push in the third period and were given a great opportunity to take the lead, when Perepeluk was handed a five-minute major midway through the frame. However, Gauthier and the penalty-kill was excellent, holding off the Rockets. Prince George was outshot 16-1 in the third period.

Kindree's overtime winner was his seventh goal of the season and second against Prince George.

Game Notes: Bowie's short-handed goal was the Cougars' first this season. Four of Moberg's five goals have come on the power-play. The loss drops the Cougars' record to 1-4-1-0 against Kelowna and their overtime record slips to 1-2. Despite the setback, Prince George has now won three of their last five games (3-1-1-0).

Next Up: The Cougars (9-21-2-3) return home to start a weekend doubleheader Friday against the Everett Silvertips; the puck drops at 7:00 pm. Single game tickets start at just $13 per person, per game. Fans can get their tickets at the CN Centre box office, or online at www.ticketsnorth.ca

Power-Play

Cougars- 1/3

Rockets - 3/4

Shots

Cougars- 17

Rockets- 33

Three Stars: 1) Mark Liwiski 2) Kaedan Korczak 3) Taylor Gauthier

Check out the Prince George Cougars Statistics

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Western Hockey League Stories from December 31, 2019


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