Prince George, B.C. – Darian Long scored the winner in just his third game as a full-time member of the Cariboo Cougars Friday in a 2-1 victory over the South Island Royals in BC Major Midget League action in Cowichan Lake.

Long, who joined the team permanently last weekend as a mid-season replacement for the injured Colton Thomas, scored at 15:49 of the third period to secure a ninth straight win for the surging Cougars. Jeremy Gervais got the lone assist.

Christopher Jandric scored in the first period, from Ty Kolle and Josh Maser.

Aaron Jakubowski made 16 stops for the win as the Cougars outshot the Royals 43-17.

The win boosts the Cougars record to 20-6-3 on the year, two points clear of second-place Valley West, but the Hawks have three games in hand. The Hawks and the third-place Vancouver Northwest Giants clash later this weekend.

The seventh-place Royals drop to 12-10-5 on the year .

The Cougars and Royals complete the season series today in Shawnigan Lake.