Some nights it doesn’t matter how many shots you put on the goalie, they will find a way to steal a victory. Tuesday night in Prince George that is exactly what Kootenay’s Mackenzie Skapski did. The 19-year-old New York Rangers prospect turned aside 51 of the 52 shots he faced and Jagger Dirk had a goal and an assist for Kootenay en route to a 3-1 victory over the Prince George Cougars. Jordan Tkatch had the lone tally for the Cougars.

Neither team was able to score in the first period, but each team had their share of chances. Ty Edmonds turned aside all 11 Kootenay opportunities while Mackenzie Skapski was equally as sharp at the other end, making 13 saves.

Prince George dictated a large majority of the second period, outshooting Kootenay 18-8. Eventually the Cougars would be rewarded for their persistence when Jordan Tkatch grabbed his own rebound and beat Mackenzie Skapski for his seventh of the season and third goal in as many games.

Just over four minutes later Kootenay would respond with a controversial goal from Jaedon Descheneau. Ty Edmonds stopped the initial shot from Matt Alfaro, but Descheneau pounced on the rebound and tucked it home. The Cougars thought that Descheneau had kicked the puck into the net, but after review referee Jeff Ingram called it a ‘good goal’ and the game was tied 1-1.

Just over four minutes into the third the Kootenay Ice took the lead when Jagger Dirk fired a shot from the right point that snuck past everybody and in. Dirk’s fourth of the season would prove to be vital because the Cougars responded with a flurry of shots on the Kootenay goal.

Mackenzie Skapski made several significant saves for the visitors in the third period. In total he faced 21 shots and stopped them all.

Tim Bozon would add some insurance to Kootenay’s lead late in the third when he snuck a backhand shot past Ty Edmonds from the right circle. Bozon’s 10th of the season would help Kootenay clinch their 17th victory of the season.

Despite outshooting the Ice 52-32, the Cougars were only able to manage the one goal. They finished zero-for-two on their power play chances but killed off all three of Kootenay’s power play chances.

With Tri-City’s loss to Seattle the Cougars remain eight points back of eighth place in the West, and will now head on a three game road trip which begins Friday night in Kennewick, Washington. The road trip will also feature a stop in Spokane on Saturday and Vancouver on Sunday.