Through the first two seasons of Brett Zarowny’s young WHL career he has seen his share of highs and lows but Saturday night in Everett will easily go down as one of the most memorable games of his career. Zarowny stopped 34 of the 35 shots he faced and Troy Bourke broke open a 1-1 tie late in the third period to help the Cougars to a 3-1 victory on the road against the Everett Silvertips. Chase Witala and Alex Forsberg chimed in with two points each in the victory.

Playing their second game in as many nights, the Cougars were slow out of the gate. Everett had a handful of quality scoring chances early, but Brett Zarowny managed to keep the door shut. He made some early clutch saves off of Juhjar Khaira, and Kohl Bauml to keep the game scoreless.  Everett maintained their dominance for the opening 20 minutes outshooting the Cougars 15-3.

The second period was much better for the Cougars who made the necessary adjustments, and at the 7:09 mark of the second they were rewarded on a two-on-one rush. Alex Forsberg skated the puck down the left wing, and centered a pass for Chase Witala who made no mistake for his team-leading 13th goal of the season.

Mid-way through the second Everett responded with a power play goal courtesy of Josh Winquist. The 20-year-old fired a shot towards the goal from the top of the left circle that appeared to redirect into the net off a Cougars defender. Winquist’s team-leading 17th tied the game, which is where the score stayed until late in the third.

Everett maintained their strong pressure in the early part of the third, outshooting the Cougars at one point six to zero. But the Cougars stuck with it, and Brett Zarowny made a series of timely saves to keep the game tied. At the other end, Austin Lotz did his part too to ensure that the game stayed on even terms.

With less than five minutes remaining in the third period Cougars captain Troy Bourke became a difference-maker. Bourke took an Alex Forsberg pass in the neutral zone and started to rush up ice. Bourke slipped his way through three different Silvertips defenders, and deked out Austin Lotz for his 10th of the season.

Chase Witala would then add an empty netter off an Everett defensive miscue, and the Cougars would hold on for the 3-1 victory despite being outshot 35-17. Everett went one-for-four on the power play while the Cougars finished zero-for-three.

For the Cougars it was their ninth victory of the season, and their second against the Silvertips this season. The Cougars are now 4-3-0-1 against the US Division and are 5-8 on the road this season.

Next up for the Cougars, a three game Alberta road trip that starts on Thursday night in Calgary.