The Prince George Cougars are heading South riding a three game winning streak and a record of 16-15. Tuesday night in Prince George the Cougars in front of 4800 strong, the Cougars defeated the Saskatoon Blades 4-3. Zach Pochiro paced the Cougars offense with two goals and an assist, including the 2014 Teddy Bear Goal for the Cougars. Chase Witala chimed in with a goal and an assist, and goaltender Ty Edmonds stopped 25 of 28 shots for his third straight win. Brett Stovin had a goal and an assist in response for Saskatoon.

Saskatoon drew first blood at the 15:24 mark of the first. Landon Welykholowa followed up a Garrett Armour rebound and buried his fifth of the season to give the Blades a 1-0 lead.

Late in the first, Cougars captain Sam Ruopp was booted from the game after a knee-on-knee collision with Blades forward Nick Zajac. Ruopp was given a five minute major for kneeing, and the Blades took to the power play. It was the Cougars though who would take advantage.

With under a minute remaining in the period, Chase Witala won a race for a puck inside the Blades zone. He spun around, centered the puck in front for Joe Carvalho who then kicked a pass to his right to the wide open Zach Pochiro. Pochiro wasted no time in firing the puck into the net and the CN Centre came unglued. Over 4800 fans tossed their stuffed toys, scarfs and toques onto the ice, with the proceeds going towards the Prince George Salvation Army.

After a fast cleanup, and the first intermission break, the teams returned to action with the Blades starting the second period on the power play for another 1:52. Their power play would prove unsuccessful.

Chase Witala gave the Cougars their first lead at the 7:32 mark of the second period when he redirected Zach Pochiro`s shot from the left point past Saskatoon netminder Trevor Martin. For Witala, it was his team-leading 16th of the season.

Less than a minute later though Saskatoon responded when Sam McKechnie knocked home a Brett Stovin rebound on a Blades power play to even the score.

But then 2015 draft eligible linemates Jansen Harkins and Brad Morrison teamed up to restore the Cougars lead. Harkins won the race for a loose puck behind the Blades goal, and then quickly sent a backhand pass in front of the net to the streaking Morrison who stuffed it past Martin for his 10th of the seaosn. For Harkins, it was his team high 34th point which matches his point total from a season ago.

The second period came to an end with the Cougars on top 3-2, and outshooting the Blades 24-18.

Early in the third the Cougars increased their lead when Zach Pochiro buried his second of the night and fifth of the season from the high slot to give the Cougars their first two goal lead of the night.

It would prove to be valuable because the Blades inched a little closer on a power play at the 9:00 minute mark. Brett Stovin snuck a wrist shot past Edmonds and in for his ninth of the season.

But from there the Cougars held on. Ty Edmonds made nine saves on the 10 shots he faced in the period, and 4800-plus went home with smiles on their faces after the Cougars 16th victory of the season.

The Prince George power play finished one-for-four while Saskatoon went two-for-seven on their power play tries. They also gave up a shorthanded marker. Saskatoon outshot the Cougars by a slim 28-27 margin.

With the victory, the Cougars improve to 16-15. They`ve won three straight games and head into tomorrow with the sixth best record in the Western Conference. Next up for the Cougars, the Everett Silvertips on Friday night marking the first time that these teams will have met this season.

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The Prince George Cougars would like to thank each and every fan who brought a stuffed toy, toque, and scarf to the game tonight! Because of your generosity and giving nature, there are going to be many families impacted positively during this Holiday Season!