The Prince George Cougars kicked off 2013 with a 4-2 loss on home ice to the Kelowna Rockets. Zach Franko paced Kelowna with a goal and two assists, while Ryan Hanes and Caleb Belter responded with goals for Prince George.

Although the game was scoreless after one, the Prince George Cougars had a lot to feel good about. They outshot Kelowna 10-4, and had some excellent scoring chances. Jake Mykitiuk was robbed point-blank by Jordan Cooke, while Brad Morrison, Colin Jacobs and Chase Witala were also unable to capitalize on their opportunities.

Early in the second, the Cougars were rewarded for their efforts when Ryan Hanes threw a puck towards the goal from the left wing goal line. The puck deflected off a Rockets defender and in past Jordan Cooke for Ryan Hanes’ fifth of the season.

Kelowna responded when Myles Bell centered a pass to Colton Sissons, who was able to lift a backhand over Mac Engel and in for his 13^th. Sissons goal came on just the sixth Rockets shot of the game, and it was tied at one.

Mid-way through the second, the Cougars took a penalty, but were able to snatch momentum back with a shorthanded goal. After missing wide on a backhand breakaway attempt, Caleb Belter skated to the left corner, and centered a puck in front of the goal. Belter’s pass also deflected off a Rockets player and into the net for the second Cougars goal of the period.

Just over four minutes later, Kelowna responded again. This time it was Myles Bell who was able to out-wait Mac Engel and shovel a backhand deke into the net for his team leading 25^th of the season.

Late in the second, Kelowna grabbed their first lead when MacKenzie Johnston fired a shot towards the goal from the left point that deflected in off of Zach Franko.

It was 3-2 Kelowna after two periods despite being outshot 20-13 by the Cougars.

Kelowna picked it up in the third and outshot the Cougars 14-8. Zach Pochiro and Ryan Hanes each had some chances to tie the score for the Cougars, but Jordan Cooke was able to keep the door shut for the visitors. Cooke finished with 26 saves on 28 shots faced while Mac Engel stopped 23 of the 27 he faced for Prince George.

Cody Fowlie would add a late one from the right wing off a rush to make it 4-2.

The final shots on goal were 28-27 for the Cougars who finished the game zero-for-three on the power play, but did manage a short-handed goal. Kelowna went zero-for-two on their power play chances.

The loss moves the Cougars record to 12-21-1-4 on the year while the Rockets improve to 28-10-1-1. These teams meet again on Saturday night from the CN Centre.