The CN Centre is becoming a very difficult place for opposing teams to play again in the Western Hockey League. Sunday afternoon in front of just shy of 4000 screaming fans, the Prince George Cougars earned a 3-2 shootout victory over the Kamloops Blazers. Chance Braid and Jared Bethune had goals in regulation for the Cougars while Brad Morrison and Jansen Harkins scored in the shootout. Goaltender Ty Edmonds was marvelous for the Cougars stopping 42 of the 44 shots directed his way. Kamloops responded with goals from Logan McVeigh and Deven Sideroff.

Late in the first period the Cougars got into some penalty trouble. Chase Witala was ejected from the game after he received a five-minute major for cross checking. Fortunately for the Cougars they were able to kill it off, and right as the penalties expired, the Cougars snatched momentum back in their favor.

Right as he left the penalty box, Chance Braid received a brilliant pass from Cal Babych and skated in alone on Connor Ingram. Braid was able to sneak the puck through the five-hole of Ingram and in for his fourth goal of the season. The goal came with just 54 seconds remaining in the first period.

Back came the Blazers early though in the second when Logan McVeigh knocked home a Matt Needham pass in front of the Cougars goal for his second goal of the season.

Jared Bethune quickly restored the Cougars lead at 6:35 when he redirected home a Jansen Harkins pass through Ingram and in. For Bethune, it was his second goal of the season and first one scored on home ice.

The game stayed tied until about the mid-way point of the third period. Deven Sideroff got the visitors back on even footing when he snuck into the high slot and beat Edmonds with a wrist shot. Edmonds got some but not all of the Sideroff chance, and once again the Blazers were back on even terms.

Late in the game both teams had a flurry of chances, but goaltenders Ty Edmonds and Connor Ingram both came up with some heroic stops, and for the first time this season, the Cougars would require overtime to solve one of their games.

In over time, the Cougars outshot the Blazers 6-4, but were unable to solve Ingram.

It came down to a shootout, and the Cougars would take full advantage.

After both Jari Erricson and Jesse Shynkaruk missed their chances for their respective teams, Brad Morrison gave the Cougars a 1-0 lead in the shootout when he snuck a puck through the legs of Ingram.

Deven Sideroff was denied on his shootout chance for Kamloops, which put the game into the hands of Cougars forward Jansen Harkins. Harkins skated in close on Ingram before lifting a backhand up and over his glove to solidify the Cougars 10th victory of the season.

The Cougars have now won six of their past seven games at home and three consecutive games altogether. The win improves their record to 10-8, and gives them a three-way tie for second place in the B.C. Division with Kamloops and Victoria. It also marks the second straight weekend that the Cougars were able to sweep a B.C. Division rival at home.

Next up, the Victoria Royals on Friday and Saturday next weekend at the CN Centre.