Cougars Edged 6-5 By Portland

By 250 News

Close, but no victory for the Prince George Cougars Wednesday.  The Portland Winterhawks took the lead in the second period and never lost it in a 6-5 win at CN Centre.

The Winterhawks took the first game of the double-header 6-3 on Tuesday.  Joe Morrow opened the scoring at 2:20, tipping home a pass behind James Priestner.  The Cougars responded when Troy Bourke scored his 16th goal of the year, turning around in front of the Winterhawks goal and beating Keith Hamilton.  Nick Buonassisi and Sena Acolatse picked up helpers as the teams skated to the dressing room tied at one.  The Cougars out-shot the Winterhawks 12-6

Portland scored early in the second on a Brad Ross goal on the power play at 3:32 for a 2-1 Winterhawks lead.  Taylor Peters scored short-handed at 5:22 and Ty Rattie scored at 14:48, giving Portland a 4-1 lead.  Charles Inglis would cut into the deficit, banging home his 27th goal of the year on a Cougars power play, making it 4-2 Portland.  Shane Pilling and Martin Marincin picked up the assists.  The Cougars out-shot Portland 17-10 in the second frame.

The Cougars got to within a goal when Caleb Belter barged in to score his second goal of the season from Wilson Dumais and Marincin at 3:23.  But Craig Cunningham gave Portland a two goal lead again, making it 5-3 at 4:33.  Nick Buonassisi scored at 7:38 when a clearing attempt went off his legs and behind Hamilton for his 18th goal of the season from Bourke to make it 5-4 Winterhawks.  But Ryan Johansen scored his third goal of the doubleheader at 9:20, making it 6-4 Portland.  Inglis notched his second goal of the game and 28th of the season, snapping a high shot blocker side on Hamilton for a 6-5 Winterhawks lead.  But the Cougars could not get on even terms, dropping their record to 28-30-2-1 after the 6-5 loss.  Portland out-shot the Cougars 13-11 in the third, but the Cougars had a 40-29 advantage in the game.  The Cougars were 2-for-7 on the power play, with Inglis getting both goals, and the Winterhawks were 1-for-5.

The Cougars head on the road for three games in three nights, facing Spokane Friday, followed by Everett Saturday and Chilliwack Sunday.  The Cougars next home game is Friday, March 4 against the Spokane Chiefs, starting at 7:00pm at CN Centre.  Tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at 250-564-5585.

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