Photo Courtesy: Steve Dunsmoor
By Ethan Ready, with files from PG Cougars
Cougars return to playoffs

Cougars clinch playoff berth on final night of regular season

Apr 17, 2022 | 1:25 AM

KELOWNA — The Prince George Cougars (24-39-4-1) concluded the 2021-22 WHL Regular Season with a 3-1 setback to the Kelowna Rockets at Prospera Place.

The Cougars will face the Portland Winterhawks in the First Round of the 2022 WHL Playoffs. The series begins Friday, April 22nd in Portland.

The Cougars, Spokane Chiefs, and Vancouver Giants – finished all tied for the final three playoff positions. The three-team tiebreaker saw the Cougars into sixth place on the strength of goals differential, while the Winterhawks had previously locked into the third position.

After an emotional win Friday in Kamloops, Prince George struggled to tap into that same energy against the Rockets.

“I thought it was a game that we couldn’t carry over the physical execution and mental focus that we showed last night. Mentally and physically, we weren’t where we needed to be,” said Cougars’ Associate Coach Josh Dixon.

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The Cougars had their two-game win streak snap by the Rockets. Cayden Glover scored the Cougars’ lone goal, late in the third period.

Ty Young was the Cougars’ best player on Saturday, as he stopped 25 of 28 shots. He had another save-of-the-year candidate in the first period when he robbed the Rockets’ Andrew Cristall by knocking his shot down out of midair with his stick.

After a scoreless first period, the Rockets top line pounced for two goals in 19-seconds in the second period. Cristall opened the scoring at 8:52 of the middle frame, then it was Mark Liwiski making it 2-0 at 9:11.

Cristall picked up his second goal of the game in the third period to put the Rockets up 3-0. John Babcock’s point shot bounced off Cristall in front of the net and up and over Young and in at 14:19. The line of Cristall, Liwiski, and Colton Dach finished with a combined seven points.

Glover broke Jari Kykkanen’s shutout bid at 15:41 of the third period. Carlin Dezainde forced a turnover in the Rockets’ zone and found Glover in the slot, who wired a wrist shot off the post and in.

The best-of-seven first round series with Winterhawks starts on Friday, April 22nd in Portland.Below is the complete schedule for Round One.

Playoff Schedule vs. Portland

Friday, April 22nd at Portland (Game 1)- 7:00 pm

Saturday, April 23rd at Portland (Game 2)- 6:00 pm

Tuesday, April 26th vs. Portland (Game 3)- 7:00 pm

Wednesday, April 27th vs. Portland (Game 4)- 7:00 pm

Saturday, April 30th at Portland (Game 5)- 5:00 pm*

Monday, May 2nd vs. Portland (Game 6)- 7:00 pm*

Wednesday, May 4th at Portland (Game 7) 7:00pm*

* If Required

by Ethan Ready, with files from PG Cougars

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