Cougars Defeat Silvertips 3-1

Sunday, February 27, 2011 08:59 AM

The Prince George Cougars ended their five game losing streak against the team that started it last weekend, pulling out a 3-1 victory over the Everett Silvertips Saturday.

The Cougars and Silvertips were meeting for the final time this season at Comcast Arena. Everett had taken the first three games of the season series and were coming off a big shut-out win over Portland the night before. The Cougars weren't so fortunate Friday, taking an 8-0 decision on the chin in Spokane. The Silvertips jumped on the board early when Evan Morden put a slap shot on goal from the left point that got past Ty Rimmer at 3:47. The goal was the only marker of the first, with the teams tied in shots at 12 through 20 minutes of play.

The Cougars started taking over the game in the latter half of the second period and were rewarded when Sena Acolatse fired home his 13th goal of the season on the power play past Kent Simpson, tying the game at one at 15:06. James Dobrowolski and Taylor Stefishen picked up the helpers on the goal and the teams went to the dressing room knotted at one. The Cougars out-shot the Silvertips 13-9.

In the third, the Cougars got a late power play and took advantage, with Acolatse ripping another shot from the line home for his 14th goal of the season at 15:25, putting Prince George up 2-1. Dobrowolski and Brett Connolly picked up the assists. The Cougars had to go to a late penalty kick leading by one, but with the puck shot on the Cougars goal from the blue line, Brock Hirsche blocked it and sent a pass ahead to Connolly who had snuck behind the Everett defence. Connolly poked the puck through Simpson's legs for his 37th goal of the season, putting the Cougars up 3-1. That's how it ended and the Cougars improved their record to 29-31-2-1 on the season, two points back of sixth place Everett and one behind seventh place Kamloops. The Cougars were out-shot 14-7 in the third and 35-32 in the game, but Rimmer picked up his 15th victory with his 34 save performance. The Cougars went 2-for-3 on the power play and the Silvertips were 0-for-2.

The Cougars finish the road trip in Chilliwack Sunday, starting at 5:00pm. The Cougars lead the Bruins by six points for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Cougars will return home to face Spokane Friday and Saturday at CN Centre, starting at 7:00pm. Tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at 250-564-5585.