Prince George, B.C. — In their opening round-robin game at the Mac’s AAA Tournament in Calgary, the Cariboo Cougars fell 4-2 in a closely fought battle with Pirati Chomutov of the Czech Republic.

Despite outshooting their opponents with a solid 60 minute effort, the Cougars were forced to fight off a lengthy two minute 5-on-3 shorthanded situation late in the third period with Chomutov scoring the tying and go ahead goal late on the power plays.

The Cougars pulled goaltender Nathan Warren for the extra attacker looking for the equalizer but Chomutov scored into the empty net to win their first game on Canadian soil.

Warren had a strong showing in goal while Brett Roulston and Captain Tanner Fjellstrom scored for the Cats.

The Cougars now have a day off and next face the Fort Saskatchewan Boston Pizza Rangers at 9:00 am on Wednesday, December 28th