Cougars Lose A Heartbreaker

By Kelly Sharp

Jesse Smyke scored on a breakaway at 2:28 of overtime to give the Everett Silvertips a 3-2 victory over the Prince George Cougars at the Everett Event Centre for a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven Western Hockey League Western Conference semi-final.

Prince George Cougars opened the scoring on a two man advantage. Nick Drazenovic converted a feed from Chris Durand past Leland Irving for 1-0 lead after 20 minutes. The Cats power play goal was their first of the series after going 0 for 9 in the 3-2 game one loss. Prince George carried the physical play in the first period, but a late collision between Dan Gendur and Eric Hunter sent the Cougars captain to the dressing room for the rest of the game with an apparent ankle injury. The Silvertips surged in the second period with Real Cyr making some huge saves in the Prince George net. Everett finally solved Cyr when Peter Mueller rapped in a rebound off an initial save by the Cougars goalie for a 1-1 tie at 15:39. With only 13 seconds left in the second period, the Prince George power play connected for the go-ahead goal. Drazenovic added his second goal as he redirected a pass from Devin Setoguchi. The Cougars offensive leader picked up his second assist of the night along with Durand. Both goalies continued their strong play in the third period. After killing a Prince George power play late in the third period, Everett scored the equalizer off a face-off in the Cougars zone. The Silvertips Peter Mueller jammed the puck past Cyr on the short side for a 2-2 tie with 3:35 left in regulation.

Real Cyr made 25 saves in regulation; Leland Irving stopped 17 in the Silvertips net. Cyr, who backed up Scott Bowles in game one, dropped to 4 and 1 in post season.  The playoff series moves to the CN Centre in Prince George for games Tuesday and Wednesday night, both 7:05 start times.

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