Delaney Tott drops the puck at last night’s Cougars game while mother Michelle and father Craig look on – photos 250News

Prince George, B.C. – The Prince George Cougars scored four unanswered goals last night to beat the visiting Edmonton Oil Kings 4-2 in front of 3,614 fans at CN Centre.

Chase Witala led the way for the Cats scoring twice, his fifth and sixth goals of the season, and adding one helper.

Andrew Koep and Brett Pollock scored back to back goals early in the second period to stake the Oil Kings to an early 2-0 lead before the Cougars started to claw their way back.

Jansen Harkins scored his second of the season 8:16 into the second to cut the lead in half before Jesse Gabrielle scored just 31 seconds into the third period to tie things up.

The Aurora Navy League Cadets hold the flag during opening ceremony

Chase Witala then worked his magic, scoring two goals, the go ahead marker with 4:56 to play and another with just 20 seconds left, to clinch the game.

New Prince George goalie Nick McBride won his first game since being acquired last week from Prince Albert, relieving starter Ty Edmonds after he suffered an injury half way through the game.

The Cougars dubbed the evening ‘Heroes night,’ honouring veterans, first responders and the family of Private Kirby Tott, who died while training at Canadian Forces Base Shilo in Manitoba last summer.

They honoured Tott by having his family gather at centre ice for the ceremonial puck drop.

Cougars vice president business, Andy Beesley, said the team wanted to include the Tott family for a couple of reasons.

From left, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 43 veterans Doug Walder, Lyndon Burgess, Bruce Burwell, and Joe Elliott

“Kirby used to be a stick boy only a decade ago for the Cougars. His father used to be one of the off-ice officials here so we really felt close to the family and we wanted to do something special for them,” he said.

“This is about saying thank you to people that have made a significant difference in people’s lives.”

Both teams meet again tonight for the rematch at 7 p.m.