Cougars Win First At CN Centre, 5-2 Over Raiders

By 250 News

Cougars rally around goalie James Priestner to celebrate 1st win of season

Last season, a two nothing deficit after one period was almost lights out for the Cougars. So far in 2010-11, it just means a more interesting finish.

The Cougars responded with five unanswered goals to defeat the Prince Albert Raiders 5-2 at CN Centre, the Cougars first win on home ice this season in three games.

The Raiders were coming in on the tail end of a six game road trip, going 2-1-1 in their first four games against BC Division foes and were 5-1-1 after an 0-3 start. The Cougars were looking to build off a solid road trip that saw the club pick up five of a possible eight points.

The Raiders got on the board first, though, at 15:07, Andrew Herle scored his first of the season past James Priestner, followed by Jonathan Parker notching his eighth of the year 42 seconds later. Priestner fought back, making a great glove save at the side of the net off a Raiders forward, keeping it 2-0 Raiders after one period. The Cougars were out-shot 17-9.

Prince George would get on the board mid-way through the second period, with defenceman Martin Marincin blasting a shot through Jamie Tucker from the left wing for his fourth of the season. Troy Bourke and Sena Acolatse drew assists. Those two would help get the Cougars back on even terms at 11:58, with Nick Buonassisi coming down the left wing on a 3-on-2 rush, passing to Acolatse in the middle who fed Bourke, finishing the play for his second of the season. The teams were tied 2-2 after 2, with the Cougars out-shooting the Raiders 12-10.

The Cougars Captain would give his team their first lead of the game just :45 into the third period. Brett Connolly finished off a pass from Taylor Stefishen in front of the Raiders net, going five hole on Tucker for his seventh of the season and fifth goal in four games. Connolly also has a point in each game this season, grabbing a team high 12th point on the goal. Acolatse drew his third assist, while Stefishen has a point in five straight games. The Cougars would get a 4-2 lead 1:13 later, with a goal from Buonassisi. Buonassisi took a drop pass from Greg Fraser, then went high glove side for his fourth of the year. James Dobrowolski, a former Raider, finished the scoring with his second of the season, assisted by Bourke and Shane Pilling for a 5-2 Cougars win. The Cougars out-shot the Raiders 12-7 in the third, but were out-shot 34-33 in the game.

The Cougars went 0-for-4 on the power play, while the Raiders went 1-for-5, with the Parker goal coming on the power play in the first period. James Priestner gets his third win of the season and helps the Cougars get back to the .500 mark at 4-4-1-0. The Raiders fall to 5-5-1-0 on the season, as they head to Red Deer for a Saturday date with the Rebels.

The Cougars go back on the road for a game with the Kamloops Blazers Saturday. It'll be the second meeting of the season between the BC Division foes. The Cougars return home to face the Brandon Wheat Kings Wednesday night. Tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at 250-564-5585.

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