Friday night in Kamloops, the Prince George Cougars earned one of a possible two points against the Blazers with a 2-1 setback in a shootout. Brendan Ranford and Cole Ully were able to solve Mac Engel while Cole Cheveldave turned aside both Cougars opportunities. It was a rock-solid effort from the Cougars who have now earned at least one point in each of their past three games.

It was a scoreless game after one period of play with each team failing to capitalize on a power play opportunity. Kamloops held a 9-4 shot advantage after one.

Early in the second, the Cougars took a 1-0 lead when Marc McNulty jumped into the rush, and buried a rebound off the stick of Alex Forsberg. For McNulty it was his fourth of the season, and the third game in a row where he’s scored a goal.

Shortly after McNulty’s goal, the Blazers were given two consecutive power plays, but were unable to capitalize. They even held a five-on-three power play for 22 seconds.

Caleb Belter nearly made it 2-0 while shorthanded, but the puck went off the handle of Cole Cheveldave’s stick, and bounced through the goal crease and out the other side. Never the less, the Cougars took a 1-0 lead into the final period.

Early in the third, Kamloops tied the game when Mathew Needham put a Cole Ully rebound past Mac Engel for his fourth of the season. The goal was scored seconds after Dylan Willick knocked Dan Gibb into the boards hard without a penalty being called.

The Cougars were able to calm down though, and played a solid third. They outshot Kamloops 9-8, and nearly won it in the final minutes when Carson Bolduc made a great play to find Joseph Carvalho in the slot, but Carvalho’s shot was denied and overtime was needed.

JC Lipon took a penalty in overtime to give the Cougars a final shot on the man-advantage. But Cole Cheveldave kept the door shut, and in the end, 65 minutes was not enough.

Brendan Ranford started the shootout for Kamloops and was able to beat Mac Engel with a backhand shot to make it 1-0 Kamloops. Zach Pochiro was stopped by Cole Cheveldave on his opportunity, and then Cole Ully followed up with a goal for Kamloops to make it 2-0.

Colin Jacobs had to score in order to extend the game, but was denied by Cheveldave, and Kamloops earned their 17^th victory of the season.

The single point helps gives the Cougars a record of 7-7-1-1 and 16 points through 16 games. They move to within two points of third place Victoria in the B.C. Division and eight points ahead of Vancouver.

Prince George outshot Kamloops 27-25, and neither team was able to score on the power play.

The Cougars will look to get back in the win column Saturday night when they face the Kelowna Rockets at Prospera Place.