Cougars On the Edge of Elimnation

Tuesday, April 24, 2007 11:06 PM

#24 Cougars Curtis Patterson chases #26 Giants Michal Repik

Vancouver beat Prince George 4-1 for 3-0 lead in WHL West Final

On a night the Prince George Cougars power play fizzled that thud you heard was not driving over a pot hole but people jumping off the Cats bandwagon. The Vancouver Giants dropped the Cougars 4-1 before 5982 at CN Centre for a 3-0 stranglehold in the best-of-seven Western Hockey League Western Conference final. The Cougars had 5 consecutive power play opportunities, including a 32 second 2-man advantage, in the opening period but could not beat Tyson Sexsmith.

“We weren’t ready, weren’t intense, pucks were bouncing that happens when your not ready,” said Cougars forward Nick Drazenovic.

“I thought early in the game our goalie was our best player, that gave us an opportunity to get rolling,” said Vancouver Giants head coach Don Hay. The Giants Wacey Rabbit jammed a puck past Real Cyr for a 1-0 Vancouver lead after 20 minutes.

“You get that early goal maybe the game goes the other way,” said Cougars coach Drew Schoneck who watched one Cougars scoring chance just trickle past Sexsmith and the Giants net.

Vancouver Giants strong checking gave the Cougars skilled players like Devin Setoguchi and Nick Drazenovic little room and space.

“They have great players who know how to get rid of time and space for players like me,” said Drazenovic.

The Giants led 2-0 after the second period thanks to a goal from Lance Bouma who converted a 3 on 2 break.

The sold-out hometown crowd finally had something to cheer about when the Cougars Jared Walker fired in his own rebound at 6:07 of the third period. But just over 3 minutes later Spencer Mahacek restored the Giants two goal lead. Vancouver’s Kenndal McArdle lifted a high wrist shot over Cyr to further sink the Cougars at 13:06. The Giants balanced scoring extended Vancouver’s road record to 5-0 this WHL post season.

“We’ve been like that all year long, we really rely on everyone to contribute,” said Hay who singled out 16 year-old rookie Lance Bouma for his goal.

Vancouver outshot Prince George 28-25.

The Giants go for the sweep over the Cougars Wednesday night at 7 at CN Centre.

“It’s a tough mountain to climb now,” said Schoneck.

Expect Scott Bowles to get the nod in the Prince George net.

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