(Submitted photo/Prince George Cougars).

By Aaron Schulze

Chiefs 4 Cougars 3

Cougars can’t hang on to lead, fall to Chiefs 4-3

Mar 5, 2022 | 9:19 AM

PRINCE GEORGE — The Prince George Cougars couldn’t hang on to a lead Friday (March 4) in their 4-3 home loss against the Spokane Chiefs.

After trailing 1-0 early, the Cougars tied the game late in the first period when Jonny Hooker wired home a wrist shot high from the slot.

The Cougars took a 3-1 lead halfway through the second period. Ethan Samson wristed home his 11^th goal from the right circle and Koehn Ziemmer tipped in Hudson Thornton’s blast on the power play, all within two minutes.

However, the Chiefs responded a minute later when Ty Cheveldayoff finished a two-on-one. Spokane tied the game 3-3 heading into the third period with Nick McCarry finishing off a backdoor pass on the power play.

Graham Sward scored from the point on the power play early in the third period, and the Chiefs wouldn’t surrender their 4-3 lead from there. Craig Armstong’s shot hit the crossbar in the third period.

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The Cougars fall to 19-30-2-1 on the 2021-22 Western Hockey League season, good for 41 points in 52 games. They’re fourth in the B.C. Division and seventh in the Western Conference.

The Cougars host the Chiefs again Saturday (March 5) at 7 p.m. from CN Centre.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Chiefs, Chase Bertholet (20) from Blake Swetlikoff and Graham Sward (power play), 4:20

1-1, Cougars, Jonny Hookers (13) from Craig Armstrong, 16:35

Second Period

2-1, Cougars, Ethan Samson (11) from Jonny Hooker and Hudson Thornton, 8:45

3-1, Cougars, Koehn Ziemmer (21) from Hudson Thornton and Riley Heidt (power play), 10:42

3-2, Chiefs, Ty Cheveldayoff (4) from Bear Hughes and Saige Weinstein, 11:42

3-3, Chiefs, Nick McCarry (13) from Bear Hughes and Blake Swetlikoff (power play), 19:13

Third Period

4-3, Chiefs, Graham Sward (8) from Chase Bertholet and Bear Hughes (power play), 0:37

Goaltending

Mason Beaupit (W), Chiefs, 26 saves on 29 shots in 60 minutes played.

Tyler Brennan (L), Cougars, 28 saves on 32 shots in 60 minutes played.