The holiday break for the Prince George Cougars will feel a little sweeter after Sunday’s result in Vancouver. Jordan Tkatch and Zach Pochiro scored 25 seconds apart in the second period, and Ty Edmonds made 41 saves to lead the Cougars to a 3-1 victory against the Vancouver Giants, wrapping up a stretch of three games in three nights.

Fresh off a 6-3 loss a night ago to Spokane, the Cougars came out strong in the first period, outshooting the Giants 11-7. But the Giants took a 1-0 lead into the intermission thanks to a Carter Popoff goal at the 17:02 mark of the first. The Cougars had three power play chances but were unable to capitalize.

Early in the second the Cougars got on the scoreboard, and yet again it was the trio of Klarc Wilson, Todd Fiddler and Jordan Tkatch who got the ball rolling for Prince George. Todd Fiddler won a battle behind the Vancouver net, centered the puck in front to the waiting Tkatch who beat Lee for his ninth of the season. Tkatch’s goal helped extend his point streak to seven straight games, while Fiddler’s was extended to 10 thanks to his assist.

25 seconds later the Cougars struck again. This time it was Alex Forsberg who started the play after sprawling to block a Vancouver chance in the defensive zone. He rushed the puck up the left wing, fired a shot on net, which Payton Lee stopped, but Zach Pochiro pounced on the rebound for his 11th of the season and a 2-1 Cougars lead.

The Giants responded well. The ice was heavily tilted in favor of the Giants for the remainder of the period, but Ty Edmonds was lights out for the Cougars stopping all 25 pucks that he faced in the second, many of which were in the final 10 minutes of the frame. Vancouver had two-second period power plays but were unable to bridge the gap.

Early in the third period, Giants captain Dalton Thrower collided with Klarc Wilson at center ice. Thrower made contact with Wilson’s head, and was tossed from the game and given a five-minute major penalty.

The Cougars were unable to take advantage of the five-minute major, and were unable to register a single shot on the Vancouver goal. The Giants used the added momentum to their advantage, but were still unable to beat Edmonds with their chances.

Klarc Wilson would put the game out of reach with an unassisted empty-net goal with less than a second remaining to help secure the 14th victory of the season for the Cougars. It helps push the Cougars record to 14-18-2-3, and moves them within four points of eighth place in the Western Conference standings.

Both teams went zero-for-four on the power play. The final shots on goal were 41-25.

Now the Cougars will break for the holidays and will return to action on December 27th in Victoria against the Royals.