Prince George hockey fans were treated to two fantastic games this weekend between the Prince George Cougars and the Calgary Hitmen. 24 hours removed from a 4-3 shootout victory where the Cougars never trailed, they ended up dropping a 4-3 shootout decision to the Calgary Hitmen in a game where they never led. Greg Chase scored all three goals for Calgary in regulation, while Chase Witala, Troy Bourke and David Soltes each responded with two-point games for Prince George. Both Ty Edmonds and Mack Shields were solid in goal for their respective teams.

Calgary led 3-1 after one thanks in large part to Greg Chase. Chase opened the scoring at 1:11 of the first, and then chimed in a second time at 3:42.

18 seconds later the Cougars netted their first goal when Zach Pochiro beat Mack Shields with a low shot to the stick side. Pochiro’s goal was his sixth of the season with Jansen Harkins and Alex Forsberg assisting.

Late in the first, Calgary restored their two goal lead on the power play. Guess who? Greg Chase struck again with a shot from atop the left circle.

The Hitmen led 3-1 after one, and the shots were even at 15 a piece.

Early in the second the Cougars inched a little closer. David Soltes banged home a Chase Witala rebound for his second of season. His goal came at 2:06 of the second.

Chase Witala then tied the game at three at the 12:21 mark of the second. David Soltes made a great play beside the Calgary goal to kick the puck to Witala who was planted in front of the goal. Witala stuffed a backhand shot past Mack Shields for his team-leading ninth of the season, and for a second straight night the game was tied at three.

Late in the second Witala had another great chance, but Mack Shields robbed him on a breakway attempt in the final seconds, and the teams skated into the dressing room all squared at three through 40 minutes. The Cougars had 21 shots in the second, while Calgary had 13.

Prince George continued to apply pressure in the third outshooting Calgary 12-2. But Mack Shields stood his ground, and for a fourth straight game at the CN Centre, 60 minutes wasn’t enough.

Calgary dominated the overtime period, outshooting the Cougars 6-0. But Ty Edmonds would not be denied. Edmonds made three glorious saves in overtime, the best of which came off of Elliot Peterson in the late stages.

Once again, a shootout would be required and this time it was Calgary who secured the second point. After the first five shooters were all denied, Pavel Padakin skated in on Ty Edmonds and lifted a backhander over him which initially looked like it hit the crossbar and stayed out. The referees reviewed the play and ultimately decided that the puck did cross the line, and the game ended.

The final shots favored Prince George by a 48-37 margin. The single point improves the Cougars record to 7-7-0-2, and gives them points in four consecutive home games. Calgary now sits at 10-3-1-2, and will head home having earned six of eight possible points on their four game road Western road swing.

The Cougars will now face the Vancouver Giants in a weeknight double header which starts Tuesday night at the CN Centre.