Image Credit: Prince George Cougars

By Victor Kaisar

Cougars 4 Americans 3

Cougars hold off Americans in first meeting of weekend doubleheader

Feb 1, 2025 | 10:03 AM

PRINCE GEORGE — The Prince George Cougars picked up their third win of their ongoing five-game home stand as they beat the Tri-City Americans 4-3 at the CN Centre Friday (Jan. 31) night.

Four different Cougars found the back of the net, while Terik Parascak had three assists, as Prince George held Tri-City to a season-low 19 shots on goal.

The Cougars led 2-1 after the first period thanks to goals from Riley Heidt – on the power play – and Aiden Foster. Those goals were sandwiched between one from Max Curran, who made it a 1-1 game midway through the period.

Jake Sloan tied things up at 2-2 when he scored at 4:31 of the second. The Cougars reclaimed the lead at 12:59 after Borya Valis’ effort was ruled a good goal after a review.

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Ben Riche doubled the lead with what turned out to be the game winner at 6:16 of the third period, though the Americans made it interesting when Jaxen Adam scored his first career WHL goal at 10:39 of the period.

Joshua Ravensbergen turned aside 16 shots to pick up the win for the Cougars. Lukas Matecha made 25 saves on 29 shots in a losing effort for Tri-City.

A couple of Cougars reached milestones Friday night as Valis scored his 200th and 201st point of his WHL career to become the 11th Cougar in team history to reach that milestone.

Heidt also collected his 232nd assist to sit four away from the all-time Prince George and Victoria Cougar record held by Mark Morrison, who had 235 assists between 1979 and 1983.

The two teams will rematch at the CN Centre at 6:00 p.m. Saturday as the Cougars conclude their five-game home-stand.

With 59 points from 47 games, the Cougars go into Saturday’s game in fourth place in the WHL’s Western Conference, one point back of the B.C. Division leading Victoria Royals, who have 60 points from 48 games.