Image credit: Prince George Cougars/Contributed

By Aaron Schulze

Winterhawks 5 Cougars 2

Cougars drop game two to Winterhawks 5-2; series shifts to Portland tied 1-1

Mar 30, 2025 | 8:16 AM

PRINCE GEORGE — The Prince George Cougars’ first round Western Hockey League (WHL) playoff series is tied 1-1.

Following a dramatic third period rally to win game one 7-6 in overtime, the Cougars dropped game two to the Portland Winterhawks at home 5-2.

The Winterhawks opened the scoring on the power play early in the first period, but the Cougars responded minutes later. Evan Groening scored his first career WHL playoff goal on a rebound to tie the game 1-1.

The Winterhawks took control again scoring two unanswered goals, including a second power play goal, but the Cougars got back within striking distance halfway through the second period. Viliam Kmec fired the puck home with a one timer from the blue line off the faceoff to cut the deficit to 3-2.

The Cougars were outshot 13-6 in the third period as they tried to score the tying goal, but the Winterhawks secured an insurance goal in the final three minutes then iced the puck into an empty net en route to the 5-2 win.

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“The difference was special teams,” Mark Lamb, Cougars head coach and general manager says. “They get a couple, and we didn’t get any on our power play… There was a lot of good in our game but it’s just not good enough when you’re in playoffs. Our top guys have to be our top guys every night, just like theirs were. It wasn’t a game where we were really on top of our game in a lot of areas and that has a lot to do with a good team over there too. I thought their third period was smart, they played with that lead and didn’t give us a lot and didn’t give us any outnumbered rushes. They know how to play hockey.”

The series shifts to Portland for game three on Tuesday (April 1) at 7:00 p.m.

If necessary, game six of the best-of-seven series is scheduled for Sunday, April 6 at CN Centre. Puck drop would be at 6:00 p.m.

Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Winterhawks, Diego Buttazzoni (2) from Tyson Jugnauth and Ryan Miller (power play), 4:36

1-1, Cougars, Evan Groening (1) from Leith Hunter and Riley Heidt, 8:55

2-1, Winterhawks, Jordan Duguay (1) from Tyson Jugnauth, 17:12

Second Period

3-1, Winterhawks, Kyle Chyzowski (1) from Tyson Jugnauth and Diego Buttazzoni (power play), 8:32

3-2, Cougars, Viliam Kmec (1) from Bauer Dumanski and Koehn Ziemmer, 13:08

Third Period

4-2, Winterhawks, Diego Buttazzoni 2 (3) unassisted, 17:02

5-2, Winterhawks, Tyson Jugnauth (1) from Kyle McDonough (empty net), 18:24

Goaltending

Ondrej Stebetak (W), Winterhawks, 28 saves on 30 shots in 60 minutes played.

Joshua Ravensbergen (L), Cougars, 28 saves on 32 shots in 59 minutes played.