Friday night in Prince George it was an electric evening at the CN Centre as the Cougars kicked off their 2013-2014 home schedule. The evening featured a tailgate party, retro jerseys, a check presentation and an appearance from one of the first ever Prince George Cougars captains. Unfortunately for the Cougars, the Kamloops Blazers had the last laugh.

Josh Connolly paced the Blazers with a goal and two assists, while Cole Ully and Tyson Ness each scored twice en route to a 5-2 Kamloops Blazers victory over the Cougars. Marc McNulty and Tyler Mrkonjic responded for the Cougars.

Kamloops opened the scoring just 2:13 into the first when Cole Ully converted off a Josh Connolly pass. Ully’s second of the season came on the power play with goaltender Taran Kozun also assisting.

Towards the middle of the period, Kamloops extended their lead when Josh Connolly fired home a shot from the right point. Connolly’s goal was assisted by Nick Chyzowski.

16 seconds later, the Cougars responded and it was the red-hot Marc McNulty who got the home team on the board. Right off a faceoff, McNulty fired a low wrist shot past Taran Kozun for his first goal and fifth point of the season. The goal helped McNulty extend his point streak to three games.

The score was 2-1 Kamloops after one, but the Cougars had a 16-10 edge in the shots department.

Early in the second, Kamloops went on another power play, and again found the back of the net. Cole Ully won the race to a loose puck in front of the Cougars goal and was able to tuck the puck underneath Brett Zarowny for his second of the game and third of the season. Josh Connolly and Taran Kozun both assisted on the Ully marker.

Prince George continued to pepper goaltender Taran Kozun with shots, but the 19-year-old continued to keep the door shut, and allowed Kamloops to skate into the second intermission ahead 3-1.

At 13:13 of the third period, Kamloops would once again find the back of the net. During a penalty kill, Tyson Ness skated down the right wing and was able to beat Brett Zarowny with a shot that appeared to deflect off the Cougars defender and in. For Ness it was his first of the season and it came unassisted.

47 seconds later the Cougars got back within two goals when Tyler Mrkonjic knocked home a Zach Gonek rebound for his first ever goal in the WHL. Jordan Tkatch earned the second assist on the Mrkonjic marker.

Tyson Ness would add one more goal to his credit in the final minute into an empty net to make the final score 5-2 for the visitors.

Prince George outshot Kamloops 39-28 through 60 minutes, but finished the game zero-for-eight on the power play while allowing Kamloops to score on two of their three chances, while also surrendering a shorthanded goal for a third consecutive game.

The Cougars are now 1-3 on the young season while Kamloops improves their mark to 1-2. These teams will meet again on Saturday night at the CN Centre.

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Before tonight’s game, the Prince George Cougars announced that over $43,130.43 was raised from the second annual Prince George Cougars Alumni Hospital Charity Golf Tournament that was held earlier this summer at the Prince George Golf and Curling Club. A check presentation took place at center ice prior to the game featuring former Cougars Captain Clayton Catellier (L), Cougars Vice President Brandi Brodsky (Middle Left), Cougars alumni President Tyler Brough (Middle Right), and Judy Neisner from Spirit of the North (Right).