Kelowna, B.C. – The Prince George Cougars dropped a hard fought game to the Kelowna Rockets Saturday night in the shootout, 3-2.

The Cats, who outshot the hometown Rockets 35-31, twice relinquished one goal leads on route to the loss.

Tyler Mrkonjic and Jared Bethune scored for Prince George while 2015 fourth round pick (New York Rangers) Brad Morrison picked up a pair of helpers.

Kelowna’s Gage Quinney tied the game with just three minutes left in the third period while Ted Brennan scored the shootout winner for the Rockets.

The Cougars kicked off the trip with a 6-3 loss in Kamloops Friday night.

Prince George continues pre-season play Wednesday in Tri-Cities when they face-off versus the Portland Winterhawks.