Cougars fall to Wheat Kings
The start was oh-so promising.
But, a tough second period was the undoing of the Prince George Cougars, who let a 3-1 lead slip away during a Tuesday night Western Hockey League game at CN Centre and suffered a 5-4 loss to the Brandon Wheat Kings.
The Cougars went into the middle frame in great shape, having gotten first-period goals from Cole Moberg (on a power play), Matej Toman and Josh Maser, while only Luka Burzan was able to find the mark for the Wheaties.
Early in the second, at the 4:14 mark, Connor Gutenberg netted a power-play goal for the visitors. Then, about seven minutes later, Linden McCorrister pulled the Wheat Kings into a 3-3 tie. Moments later, the Wheaties took the lead on a marker by Braden Schneider.
Half way through the third period, Stelio Mattheos struck for Brandon. The Cougars, now down 5-3, managed to get that one back a minute later, the goal by Vladislav Mikhalchuk on a power play. The Cats, however, got no closer.
The Wheat Kings outshot the Cougars 44-30. Prince George held Brandon to the one power-play goal in six chances and scored on two of its three opportunities.
Starting goaltender Taylor Gauthier gave up the first four Brandon goals and was replaced by Isaiah DiLaura, who took the loss. Ethan Kruger got the win for the Wheaties.
The Cougars saw their record drop to 5-7-1-2 while the Wheat Kings improved to 7-3-3-2.
The Cougars host the Seattle Thunderbirds on Friday and Saturday.