Image Credit: Steve Dunsmoor

By Victor Kaisar

Rockets 6 Cougars 3

Stancl’s five points leads Rockets to 6-3 win over Cougars

Jan 11, 2025 | 9:41 AM

KELOWNA — Newcomer Ben Riche scored his second goal in as many games but the Prince George Cougars were beaten 6-3 by the Kelowna Rockets Friday (Jan. 10) night.

The Rockets, who fired head coach Kris Malette yesterday, were led by Jakub Stancl, who finished with a five point night.

Goals from Aiden Foster 21 seconds into the game and Riche at 6:57 had the Cougars up 2-0 before Max Graham pulled one back for the home team late in the period.

Stancl’s first at 10:29 of the second period made it a 2-2 game but the Cougars retook the lead about five minutes later courtesy a highlight reel goal from rookie forward Kayden Lemire.

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Stancl tied the game a second time at 18:27 of the period, before the Rockets pulled away in the third. Will Sharpe and Dawson Gerwing scored nine seconds apart inside the first minute of the final period before Stancl put the game to bed just past the 12 minute mark.

Cooper Michaluk turned aside 32 of 38 shots in a losing effort for the Cougars, while Jake Pilon made 32 saves to pick up the win.

The Cougars drop to 24-11-3-2 on the season, though they’re still second in the WHL’s Western Conference. The Rockets improve to 15-18-2-1 and sit in ninth, one point behind Wenatchee for the final playoff spot.

The Cougars are in Kamloops to face the Blazers at Sandman Centre Saturday night. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.