24 hours removed from arguably their most painful loss of the season, the Cougars bounced back Wednesday in a major way against the Vancouver Giants. Cal Babych and Chase Witala each scored twice, Haydn Hopkins added three assists, and 12 different Cougars recorded at least one point en route to a 6-1 victory over the Vancouver Giants. Carter Popoff had the lone response for Vancouver.

For the 20th time this season, the Cougars scored first, and tonight it was Chase Witala’s turn. The 19-year-old forward was able to sneak one past Cody Porter from beside the net, and 4:38 in the Cougars were on top.

At the 11:51 mark the Giants tied it when Carter Popoff grabbed a loose puck in front of the Giants goal and snuck it by Ty Edmonds for his 12th goal of the season. That goal would be the final one of the night for the visitors.

Back came the Cougars at the 16:03 mark. Haydn Hopkins crossed the Giants blueline, dropped a pass back to Cal Babych who fired a shot from the right circle that went up and over the glove of Cody Porter and in for his second of the season giving the Cougars a 2-1 advantage that they’d take into the first intermission.

The game’s next goal came at 14:17 of the second period and once again it was Babych who was rewarded. He snuck towards the front of the goal and jammed home a Haydn Hopkins rebound for his second of the game, and a 3-1 Cougar lead. After two periods the Cougars were outshooting Vancouver 26-15.

Prince George continued to apply pressure in the third period. First it was Brad Morrison who converted on a power play at 2:12 of the second. Then Chase Witala notched his second of the night on a one-timer from the point on a power play to make the score 5-1 for the home team. Zach Pochiro assisted on Witala’s goal giving him a point in his first game back with the team.

Chance Braid finished off the game’s scoring with a bar-down beauty at 14:03 of the final period.

The Cougars finished the night two-for-seven on the power play and they were able to kill off all four of Vancouver’s power play chances. The final shots were: 33-25 for Prince George.

Cougars netminder Ty Edmonds was steady in his return to action, making timely saves, particularly in the second period when the game was still close.

With the win the Cougars are back at the .500 mark at 12-12 while Vancouver now sits at 9-13. The Cougars finished their eight game homestand with an even 4-4 record.

Next up for the Cougars, the Kamloops Blazers in Kamloops on Friday night before yet another game with the Vancouver Giants, this time in Vancouver on Saturday.