Image credit: Portland Winterhawks

By CKPG Today

Winterhawks 5 Cougars 2

Cougars on the brink of elimination after 5-2 loss to Winterhawks in game four

May 2, 2024 | 5:29 AM

PORTLAND — It’s do or die for the Prince George Cougars for the rest of the Western Hockey League (WHL) Western Conference Finals.

The Cougars were put on the brink of elimination Wednesday (May 1) night, falling to the Portland Winterhawks on the road in game four by a score of 5-2. They now trail the best-of-seven series 3-1.

The Winterhawks scored twice in the first period to take a 2-0 lead. The Cougars cut the deficit to one with Hudson Thornton finishing off a pretty passing play on the power play to score the first of his two goals Wednesday night. However, Marcus Nguyen – who scored a hat trick in game three – pecked the Cougars again with back-to-back goals to help the Winterhawks cruise to a 5-2 win.

The Cougars remain in Portland Thursday for game five at 7:00 p.m.

If the Cougars win, the series will return to Prince George on Monday, May 6, for game six at CN Centre.

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Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Winterhawks, Gabe Klassen (4) from James Stefan and Nate Danielson (power play), 9:20

2-0, Winterhawks, Diego Buttazzoni (2) from Josh Zakreski and Tyson Jugnauth, 15:44

Second Period

2-1, Cougars, Hudson Thornton (5) from Ondrej Becher and Riley Heidt (power play), 12:47

3-1, Winterhawks, Marcus Nguyen (5) from Tyson Jugnauth and Nate Danielson, 16:48

Third Period

4-1, Winterhawks, Marcus Nguyen 2 (6) from Jack O’Brien and Nate Danielson, 5:38

4-2, Cougars, Hudson Thornton 2 (6) from Koehn Ziemmer and Ondrej Becher (power play), 12:32

5-2, Nate Danielson (4) from Jack O’Brien and Marcus Nguyen, 14:53

Goaltending

Jan Špunar (W), Winterhawks, 26 saves on 28 shots in 60 minutes played.

Ty Young (L), Cougars, 34 saves on 39 shots in 60 minutes played.