Cougars Blast Bruins 7-3 Friday Night

By 250 News

Without their two leading goal scorers, the Prince George Cougars pumped seven to the back of the net Friday night in hammering the Chilliwack Bruins 7-3 at CN Centre.

The Cougars and Bruins were playing for the fifth time this season and second in a row, the middle game of three straight between the two teams.  The Cougars were missing Brett Connolly, who was injured on a knee-on-knee collision with the Bruins Steve Oursov Wednesday.  The club was also without Charles Inglis, who suffered an eye injury on a high stick against the Bruins two nights earlier.

The Cougars got to work early, when Jesse Forsberg picked up his own rebound off a shot and buried his second goal of the year on a Cougars power play at 3:33.  Martin Marincin drew the first assist and goalie Ty Rimmer got the second helper for a 1-0 Cougars lead.  The Cougars went back to the man advantage shortly after the Forsberg goal and cashed in again, when James Dobrowolski snapped home his 14th goal of the year, extending his point streak to seven games.  Marincin earned his second assist and Taylor Stefishen got a helper, as well.  Brandon Magee cut the lead in half at 8:15, but at 13:52, Jaroslav Vlach banged in his second goal from Brock Hirsche and Taylor Makin, giving the Cougars a 3-1 lead.  The Cougars out-shot the Bruins 19-12 in the first.

Taylor Stefishen put the Cougars up 4-1 early in the second, scoring on his own rebound at 4:29 for his 10th goal of the year.  Stefishen becomes the 10th Cougars player to reach double figures in goals.  Dobrowolski had the only assist.  Nick Buonassisi scored the Cougars third power play goal of the night, firing a shot past Bruins goalie Braden Gamble at 8:55, Buonassisi's 14th goal of the year.  Gamble took over in goal to start the second period after Lucas Gore started for Chilliwack.  Cody Carlson and Forsberg picked up assists on the Buonassisi goal that made it 5-1 Cougars.  The Bruins got goals from TC Cratsenburg and Ryan Howse later in the period to cut the Cougars lead to 5-3 after 40 minutes.  The Cougars out-shot the Bruins 13-8.

The Cougars padded their lead in the third, when Spencer Asuchak caused a turnover deep in the Bruins zone, then tapped a loose puck in the crease home for his 15th goal of the year at 5:02.  Buonassisi eaned an assist with a pass from behind the Bruins goal.  The Cougars would end the scoring when Taylor Stefishen tipped out of the air his second goal of the night off a point shot from Jesse Forsberg at 9:57.  Although the goal was disallowed at first, video replay allowed the goal to stand, making it 7-3 Cougars.  Greg Fraser picked up an assist.  The Cougars cruised to the 7-3 victory, improving their record to 22-18-2-1.  Both teams had six shots, giving the Cougars a 38-26 advantage in the game.  Ty Rimmer picked up his 10th win in goal.  The Cougars were 3-for-6 on the power play, while holding the Bruins 0-for-5, including two 5-on-3 power play chances.

The Cougars will try to earn a sweep of the home double header Saturday, when the teams square off at 7:00pm.  Campbell’s Canada and Save-On Foods will also be hosting a food drive at the game.  Bring a non-perishable food item to Section X and be entered in a draw to win an iPod Nano. Campbell’s Canada and Save-On Foods will also match every donated Campbell’s food product and proceeds will go to the Salvation Army.  The game is also Minor Sports Night and Jersey Night.  Tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at 250-564-5585.

Email | Print | Facebook | Twitter | Digg | Del.icio.us