Giants Take First Game Of Weekend 4-3 Over Cougars

By 250 News

Prince George Cougars Captain Brett Connolly had a dazzling goal and an assist in his first game with the Cougars since December 7, but the Vancouver Giants pulled out a 4-3 win in the first game of a weekend doubleheader at CN Centre.

Connolly, Martin Marincin, Troy Bourke and Josh Smith were all recognized prior to the game by the Cougars and Prince George Mayor Dan Rogers for their participation at either the 2011 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship or the 2011 World Under 17 Challenge.  The Cougars were hosting the Giants for the thrid time, looking for the first home win in the season series.  The Giants opened the scoring when Brendan Rowinski took a shot from a steep angle on the left wing that banked off Cougars goalie James Priestner and in at 5:50.  But the Cougars went to the power play shortly after and Connolly scored just 14 seconds into the man advantage.  Taking a pass at centre, Connolly raced in on the right side, made a toe drag move on a Giants defender, then snapped home a low shot blocker side on Giants keeper Mark Segal for his 23rd goal of the season at 8:00.  Sena Acolatse and Marincin drew the assists on the tying goal.  But Mark Reners would give the Giants the lead back, sweeping home a rebound in front of the Cougars net for a 2-1 lead at 16:09.  The Giants out-shot the Cougars 10-7 in the first period.

The Giants added to their lead at 1:11, when Darren Bestland let a shot go from the line that floated in the air and beat Priestner, who went to play the shot with his blocker hand but was fooled by the knuckler, making it 3-1 Vancouver.  Priestner was pulled and replaced by Ty Rimmer.  The Cougars got back into the game late in the frame, when Spencer Asuchak scored from in close for his 13th goal of the season at 17:27.  Cody Carlson and Brock Hirsche earned assists.  Acolatse pounded home his ninth on a Cougars power play at 19:00 on a one-time shot to tie the game at three.  Marincin and Connolly would get credit for assists on the equalizer and the teams headed to their dressing room's tied at three.  The Cougars out-shot Vancouver 8-7 in the period.

In the third, Teal Burns would get the only goal, racing out of his own end and beating Rimmer on the glove side, just under the cross bar, to make it 4-3 Vancouver and stand as the winning goal.  The Cougars had two power plays late to tie the game, but could not solve Segal.  The Giants pull into a first place tie with the Cougars with their victory, both teams at 43 points.  The Cougars are still seeded first because of one more victory, now 20-16-2-1 and the Giants at 19-17-1-4.  The teams each had 10 shots in the third and the Giants out-shot the Cougars 27-25 in the game.  Prince George went 2-for-8 with the man-advantage, while the Giants were 0-for-2.

The Cougars will look for a weekend split with the Giants when the teams square off again Saturday night at CN Centre, starting at 7:00pm.  Tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at 250-564-5585.

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