Cougars blow third period lead, fall to Giants 5-3

Oct 22, 2026 | 6:48 AM

PRINCE GEORGE — One day after a comeback attempt fell short, the Prince George Cougars were unable to hang on to a third period lead as they fell to the Vancouver Giants 5-3 at CN Centre Wednesday (Oct. 21) night.

The Cougars got out to the lead early with Cole Hajt pouncing on a rebound after a Giants player was unable to handle the puck in front of their net. The Giants would tie the game late in the first period.

Tre Peck would get his Cougars on track. The Cougars’ leader in goals scored from the slot halfway through the second and once again off the rush in the third to give Prince George a 3-1 lead with just over 12 minutes to play.

However, the Giants showed why they’re leading the Western Hockey League (WHL) B.C. Division early in the season. The Giants scored three goals in 1:21 to take the lead. They added an empty net goal with 14 seconds remaining to secure the 5-3 win. The Cougars were outshot 12-1 in the third period.

The Cougars fall to 3-5-0-1 on the 2026-27 WHL season, good for seven points in nine games.

Giants 5 Cougars 3

Cougars blow third period lead, fall to Giants 5-3

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Scoring Summary

First Period

1-0, Cougars, Cole Hajt (1) from Jack Finnegan and Dade Wotherspoon, 5:55

1-1, Giants, Blake Chorney (2) from Kaleb Hartmann, 18:43

Second Period

2-1, Cougars, Tre Peck (5) from Townes Kozicky and Ethan Popowich, 9:08

Third Period

3-1, Cougars, Tre Peck 2 (6) from Jonathan Bitonti, 7:50

3-2, Giants, Blake Chorney 2 (3) from Mathis Preston and Derek Thurston, 10:43

3-3, Giants, Tobias Tomik (4) and Blake Chorney, 11:00

4-3, Giants, Jakob Oreskovic (5) from Sam Charko and Caleb Hartmann, 12:04

5-3, Giants, Cam Parr (4) from Mathis Preston (empty net), 19:46

Goaltending

Oliver Bryks (W), Giants, 18 saves on 21 shots in 60 minutes played.

Peyton Shore (L), Cougars, 25 saves on 29 shots in 58 minutes played.

by Aaron Schulze

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Cougars blow third period lead, fall to Giants 5-3

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