Image Credit: Kamloops Blazers
Cougars 3 Blazers 2

Cougars ride three goal first period to win over Blazers

Feb 9, 2025 | 10:34 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Prince George Cougars got off to a perfect start at Sandman Centre with a goal in the opening minute as they came away with a 3-2 win over the Kamloops Blazers Saturday (Feb. 8) night.

The Cougars struck three times in the opening period and held on for the win against the B.C. Division rivals., giving them their 30th win of the season.

Matteo Danis struck for the Cougars just 58 seconds into the game, though the Blazers pulled back even through Kalan Anderlini’s first of the season at 4:26.

Goals from Riley Heidt at 9:30 and Patrick Sopiarz at 12:55 gave the Cougars the 3-1 lead, which lasted until the third period. Heidt scored his 25th of the season, and 110th as a Cougars to move just one behind Eric Hunter (111) for fourth all-time in franchise history.

The Blazers’ Jordan Keller, who was named the first star on the night, made it a 3-2 game with a power play goal at 13:42 of the third period, but there was no last minute comeback to be had for the home team.

Joshua Ravensbergen stopped 31 of 33 for his 26th win of the season. In the other crease, Logan Edmonstone turned aside 28 of 31 shots in a losing effort for the Blazers.

The Cougars have 66 points from 51 games, four points back for Victoria for top spot in the B.C. Division, though the Royals have played two more games. The Cats are also three points back of Spokane for third in the Western Conference with 17 games left to play.

Next up for the Cougars is a double header against the league leading Everett Silvertips – and their rookie phenom Landon DuPont – on Feb. 14 and 15. Puck drop from the CN Centre on Friday is at 7:00 p.m.