Tri-City wins 3-2

Cougars settle for weekend split against Americans

Feb 2, 2020 | 8:37 AM

PRINCE GEORGE – A weekend sweep just wasn’t in the cards for the Prince George Cougars as they came away with a split against the Tri-City Americans after a 3-2 loss Saturday at the CN Centre.

The chance to force overtime was snubbed when Tri-City’s Marc Lajoie scored on the powerplay with just four minutes left on the clock. The Americans scored all three of their goals on the man-advantage and they ended their eight-game losing streak. Luke Zazula and Booker Daniel also scored power-play goals in the victory.

Jonny Hooker and Vladislav Mikhalchuk scored in a losing effort for Prince George, who failed to keep pace with the Seattle Thunderbirds in the Wildcard playoff chase.

The Cougars’ Tyler Brennan was handed the loss in goal, after surrendering three goals on 24 shots.

A night ago, the Cougars scored a season-high four third period goals but Saturday they were shutout in the final 20-minutes. Tri-City scored the game-winner at 15:57 on their fifth power-play of the night.

Prince George pulled their goalie in the final moments of regulation and was inches away from tying the game, but Maser had his attempt clank off the base of the post.

With Seattle’s shootout win in Portland Saturday, the Cougars fall ten points back of the Thunderbirds for the final playoff spot in the West.

The Cougars (14-26-3-4) will continue their homestand on Tuesday, and Wednesday at the CN Centre against the Seattle Thunderbirds (20-22-3-2).