Cougars lose first of six head-to-head battles against Victoria Royals 5-3

The Royals didn’t slow down once the second period started. They dominated with three goals, the first from Caleb Willms on a power play less than a minute in. Riley Gannon got the Royals a lead with a goal at 17 minutes, and Anthony Wilson sunk another one a minute later, bringing it to 4-2.

In the third period, the Cougars’ Koehn Ziemmer scored a minute in, bringing them within one. But they couldn’t quite close the gap, even after pulling the goalie, and the Royals’ Tarun Fizer scored on the empty net with a minute left.

Prince George is at 19-32-2-1 and is good for 41 points in 54 games. They face off against the Victoria Royals again Saturday (March 12) at 7 p.m. at the CN Centre in Prince George.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Cougars, Ethan Samson (12) from Riley Heidt and Hudson Thornton (power play), 3:17

2-0, Cougars, Keaton Dowhaniuk (1) from Fischer O’Brien, 6:50

2-1, Royals, Matthew Hodson (3) from Anthony Wilson (power play), 14:44

Second Period

2-2, Royals, Caleb Willms (2) from Tarun Fizer and Brayden Schuurman (power play), 0:37

3-2, Royals, Riley Gannon (17) from Caleb Willms and Matthew Hodson (power play), 16:52

4-2, Royals, Anthony Wilson (6) from Carter Briltz and Marcus Almquist, 17:43

Third Period

4-3, Cougars, Koehn Ziemmer (23) from Riley Heidt, 1:32

5-3, Tarun Fizer (13) from Luke Shipley (empty net) 18:50

Goaltending

Tyler Palmer (W), Royals, 22 saves on 25 shots in 60 minutes played.

Tyler Brennan (L), Cougars, 22 saves on 25 shots in 40 minutes played.

by Stephanie Swensrude

Cougars lose first of six head-to-head battles against Victoria Royals 5-3

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