Cougars Drop 5-2 Decision In Chilliwack

Saturday, December 12, 2009 10:13 PM

A big opening period proved to be enough for the host Chilliwack Bruins in a 5-2 win over the Prince George Cougars Saturday night. The Cougars were looking for back-to-back wins for the first time this season, but surrendered three goals in the first period en route to the loss, which evens the season series between the Cougars and Bruins at two wins a piece.

The Cougars were coming off a 3-2 shoot-out win over the Everett Silvertips Friday night that ended a 15 game road losing streak. The Bruins, meanwhile, were pounded on home ice by the Spokane Chiefs Friday 7-1. The Bruins meant business in the first period, out-shooting the Cougars 12-4 and getting three of those drives past Cougars starting goalie Hudson Stremmel. Prince George product Ryan Howse opened the scoring at 9:33 with his 26th goal of the season. Alexander Wiklund put home his third at 12:18 and Roman Horak notched a short-handed goal at 17:46, his 13th tally of the year.

In the second period, the shot totals were reversed, but the only goal went to the Bruins. Jamie Crooks got his 8th of the season for a 4-0 Bruins lead through 40 minutes.

The Cougars got on the scoreboard with the power play early in the third, when Alex Rodgers tied Dallas Jackson and James Dobrowolski for the team lead in goals with his eighth of the season at 5:45, beating Bruins starter Braden Gamble. Spencer Asuchak and Kurt Torbohm drew helpers. That tie didn't last long when Jackson scored on a Cougars man advantage for his ninth of the season to cut the Bruins lead in half to 4-2 at the 7:58 mark. Torbohm earned his first WHL multi-point game with his second assist, while Marek Viedensky also grabbed a helper on the Jackson goal. Viedensky has a point in six of his last seven games, with two goals and six assists over that span. But the Bruins would halt another Cougars come-back attempt at the 10 minute mark, with Howse getting his second goal of the game for a 5-2 Bruins lead, which they would hold on to for the win, giving Chilliwack a 14-17-1-4 record. The Cougars drop to 6-25-1-1. The Cougars out-shot the Bruins 12-10 in the third and 28-26 in the game, tying a team best for fewest shots allowed in a game this season. The Cougars also recorded their second multi-goal game on the power play this month, going 2-for-6. The Bruins went 1-for-5 and Horak's short-handed goal stood up as the winner.

The Cougars will come home to face the Kamloops Blazers for a pair of games at CN Centre before the Christmas break. Next Friday, Cougars fans are encouraged to bring office and cleaning supplies to the game to help support the Prince George SPCA, who will collect donations on the concourse. The following night is the Cougars annual Teddy Bear and Toque Toss Night. When the Cougars score their first goal, fans will litter the ice with stuffed animals and toques, which will be collected by the Salvation Army and RCMP Victim Services, with vehicles provided by Wood Wheaton to help gather all the items off the ice. Also that night, Prince George Esporta Cleaners will be collecting new and used boots and shoes and taking them to their location to put through the Esporta clean and sanitizing program. Esporta with then distribute the items to Active Support Against Poverty.

Game time for both games is 7:00. Tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at 250-564-5585.

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