The Everett Silvertips have drawn first blood this weekend in Prince George. Friday night at the CN Centre, Manraj Hayer and Kohl Bauml scored 1:13 apart in the third period to lift Everett to a 3-2 victory over the Prince George Cougars. Prince George outshot Everett 42-22, and put forth a strong effort for new head coach Mark Holick in his Cougars coaching debut.

Kohl Bauml opened the game’s scoring at 5:44 of the first. Ty Mappin fed Bauml off the rush, and from the right wing Bauml was able to bury his 16^th of his the season.

The Cougars responded well, but couldn’t beat Austin Lotz who turned away all 14 shots he faced in the first period.

Persistence paid off for the Cougars in the second period when Dan Gibb skated in from the right wing and centered a puck into the goal mouth area. Troy Bourke grabbed a loose puck and tucked the puck home for his eighth of the season and a 1-1 tie.

24 seconds later the Cougars took the lead when Rinalds Rosinskis leaned into a slap shot that found its way past Lotz and in. The rebound initially came off a Colin Jacobs shot. Jari Erricson added the second assist on Rosinskis’ first ever WHL goal.

Shots were 30-16 after two periods favoring the Cougars.

Mid-way through the third period Everett tied it when Manraj Hayer was left all alone in front of the Cougars net. Joshua Winquist did a great job along the way to shrug off a check and center him the puck. Hayer out waited Brett Zarowny for his 10^th of the season.

One minute and 13 seconds later, Kohl Bauml delivered the game’s final goal as he raced the puck down the left wing side. A slap shot found its way overtop of  Brett Zarowny and into the net for his 17^th of the season and second of the game.

Everett got into some penalty trouble late in the game, but the Cougars were unable to capitalize on a 45 second five-on-three man advantage in the late stages of the third, and Everett held on for their 21^st win of the season.

The final shot tally was 42-22 for the Cougars who went zero-for-five on the power play. Everett went scoreless on their two man advantage opportunities.

Prince George (14-28-2-4) will once again face the Everett Silvertips (21-26-1-2) on Saturday night at the CN Centre.