Cue another Cougars Comeback

By Kelly Sharp

        Over 4500 at CN Centre celebrate Cougars comeback against the Blazers

Prince George Cougars are within a victory of sweeping into the second round of the Western Hockey League playoffs. Trailing 3-2 in the third period, the Cougars erupted for 2 goals 1:02 apart for a 4-3 victory over the Kamloops Blazers and a 3-0 lead in the best-of seven first round series before 4504 at CN Centre. The boisterous crowd watched the Blazers hold the lead three times on the night but the Cougars power play keyed the Prince George comebacks. Greg Gardner’s shot from the slot beat Kamloops Dustin Butler on a 2-man advantage to give the Cougars a 2-2 tie after 40 minutes.  The Blazers scored the lone goal of the second period before the Prince George power play at 14:14 of the third period pulled the Cougars into a 3-3 tie. Jared Walker’s second goal of the night rocked CN Centre. Only 1:02 later Devin Setoguchi redirected a pass from Walker to touch off an even larger celebration among the Cougar faithful. The game’s first star, Jared Walker, was quick to praise the 7^th player. “It’s hard not to get into the game when the crowd is cheering you on, when we scored those two big goals they were so loud, after that we were just flying.”

The dynamic Setoguchi, who hit the post twice in the second period, said patience paid off against the Blazers.

“We came out with a gutsy effort in the third period and stuck with it,” Setoguchi said.

“We finally got in on the forecheck, the guys were more determined to go to the net and on Seto’s game winner it paid off,” Cougars head coach Drew Schoneck said.

Walker and Setoguchi each had three point nights for the Cougars. C.J. Stretch and Ivan Rohac figured in all three of the Kamloops goals. Dustin Butler made 31saves for the Blazers compared to 17 for the Cats Real Cyr.

Cougars go for the four-game sweep of the Blazers Wednesday night at 7 at CN Centre.

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