Cougars defencemen suspended as season nears end

The Prince George Cougars knew they could not avoid the long arm of the WHL league office and as a result, they will be without two of their most experienced defencemen tonight in Kamloops.

Joel Lakusta was handed a three-game suspension which will carry into next season for his actions midway through the third period in the Cougars’ 6-3 loss Wednesday in Kelowna.

The 19-year-old Cougar veteran was assessed a five-minute major penalty for making head contact and a game misconduct, as well as a two-minute roughing minor, when he got involved in a fourplayer scrum 8:41 into the third period, right after the Rockets had taken a 3-2 lead.

Cats defenceman Cam MacPhee, 18, was suspended for one game as further punishment for his attempt-to-injure match penalty and game misconduct.

The two Rockets involved in the incident, defenceman Gordie Ballhorn and left winger Carsen Twarynski, were also penalized but were not suspended. Ballhorn was handed a roughing penalty and a 10-minute misconduct, while Twarynski was given four minutes for roughing and a misconduct.

The Cougars gave up five consecutive goals in the third period in the loss to the Rockets.

“We played a pretty good 40 minutes, I know we were outshot, and I liked our compete (level),” said Cougars associate coach Steve O’Rourke. “We probably went over the line (Wednesday) and that’s not something we want to be done. We want them to compete within the rules and finish checks and drive guys nuts on the physical side of things and make it hard for them to be on the ice and we crossed the line and it cost us a hockey game.

“These guys (the Rockets) are on top (of the B.C. Division) and, rightfully so, they run their mouths and when you’re on the bottom it gets frustrating and guys’ emotions get going. We were in Game 70 with nothing to play for and these kids came out and competed right to the end.”

The Cougars face off tonight in Kamloops against the Blazers – the first of a home-and-home weekend set which wraps up the season with the rematch Saturday night at CN Centre.

Neither the Cougars (23-36-14) nor the Blazers (29-36-1-4) will advance to the playoffs. The Cougars will be trying to end a sixgame losing streak.