For the past two seasons, the Prince George Cougars and Spokane Chiefs have played some very memorable games at the Spokane Arena, and Tuesday’s game was no exception. Mid-way through the third period, the Cougars trailed 5-0 before scoring four unanswered goals in a 7:44 span to make it 5-4. Spokane would add an empty net goal though and secure the 6-4 victory.

Spokane jumped on the Cougars early in the first when Adam Helewka intercepted the puck in the neutral zone and raced down the right wing and beat Mac Engel with a wrist shot to make the score 1-0 just 3:43 into the game.

After both teams failed to click on the power play, Spokane continued to have full control of the period. Todd Fiddler scored his 42^nd of the season off a rebound at the side of the Cougars goal, and then AP call-up Markson Bechtold made it 3-0 just over two minutes later.

Spokane led 3-0 after one and outshot the Cougars 26-6 in the opening frame.

The second period was better for the Cougars who outshot Spokane 12-5, but the period’s only goal came courtesy of Mitch Holmberg at 4:56 on the power play. Holmberg’s goal spelt the end of the night for Cougars goaltender Mac Engel who was pulled after surrendering four goals against on 29 shots faced. Brett Zarowny came into the game and kept the door shut for the remainder of the period.

Early in the third, Spokane added to their lead when Mike Aviani freed the puck from Brett Zarowny’s grasp and shoveled into the empty net for his 30^th of the season.

Cue the comeback attempt at 9:57 of the third when Colin Jacobs and Troy Bourke combined on Bourke’s 15^th goal of the season. Bourke made a great play in the middle of the ice to take the Jacobs pass and outwait Eric Williams with a gorgeous backhand move.

Under three minutes later the Cougars struck again when Daniel Gibb deflected home a Zach Pochiro point shot for his fourth of the season. All of a sudden it was 5-2 with seven minutes remaining.

After killing off a late period penalty, the Cougars inched a little closer when Troy Bourke and Zach Pochiro worked a give-and-go to perfection. Pochiro ripped Bourke’s pass through Eric Williams and in for his 14^th of the season.

37 seconds later the Cougars inched within one goal as Dan Gibb scored his second of the period with a blast from the right point. A 5-0 lead for Spokane was now 5-4 and there was still 2:16 left in regulation time.

Seconds later Spokane responded as they were able to clear their zone down six-on-five, and Alessio Bertaggia scored into the empty net to seal the deal for Spokane.

Blake Gal led the way with three assists for Spokane while Colin Jacobs responded with three helpers for the Cougars. The Cougars (21-40-2-6) outshot Spokane 21-10 in the third period but were outshot 41-39 overall. Not bad considering the shot totals after one period. Spokane went one-for-four on the power play while the Cougars failed to capitalize on any of their four chances.

Thankfully for the Cougars they are still mathematically able to catch Everett for eighth place. Both teams have three games left in their seasons with Everett holding a four-point lead in the standings. Any combination of an Everett win and a Cougars loss would help Everett clinch eighth.

The Cougars will look to get back on track Thursday as they head to Kelowna for their final meeting of the regular season with the Kelowna Rockets.