For the first time since late September, the Prince George Cougars find themselves outside of the top eight in the Western Conference standings.

Saturday night in Vancouver the Prince George Cougars dropped a 5-1 decision to the Vancouver Giants. Vancouver broke a 1-1 tie with three unanswered second period goals in a game that was filled with penalties. Brett Kulak had two power play goals for Vancouver and Payton Lee turned aside 21 of the 22 shots he faced in goal. Troy Bourke had the lone Cougars goal.

Early in the first period Vancouver took advantage of a power play chance. The red hot Brett Kulak blasted a point shot through traffic that found it’s way past Ty Edmonds and in for his eighth goal of the season.

Vancouver continued to apply early pressure, but the Cougars killed off their second penalty, and slowly started to find their legs towards the middle of the period.

The young rookie trio of Jansen Harkins, Brad Morrison and Tyler Mrkonjic provided a strong spark for the Cougars as they won battles, created chances, and ultimately drew a late period power play, which resulted in a goal.

With under three minutes remaining in the first, Tate Olson slid a pass across the ice to Troy Bourke who blasted home a shot from the right point. Bourke’s ninth goal of the season tied the game at one, and capped off a strong finish to the first period in which the Cougars outshot Vancouver 11-8.

Unfortunately for the visitors, the second period proved to be a much .different story. 3:32 into the second, Giant’s defenceman Dmitry Osipov snuck a low shot into the net for his first ever WHL goal.

Just over two minutes later, Jackson Houck made it 3-1 off a rebound from in close, which spelled the end of the line for goaltender Ty Edmonds.

Brett Zarowny replaced Edmonds at 5:36 of the second, and was tested right away with another Vancouver power play. Brett Kulak notched his second of the night, and ninth of the season off a shot from the right point, and the Giants led 4-1.

Late in the second, the Cougars had a few chances, but Payton Lee made some key saves, including a breakaway save off of Todd Fiddler to keep the score at 4-1.

Vancouver outshot the Cougars 20-7 in the second.

Tim Traber padded Vancouver’s lead at 7:07 of the third period off a rush down the right wing which helped give the Giants more than enough cushion for their eighth victory of the 2013-2014 season.