The Lethbridge Hurricanes got a pair of third-period markers from Jake Elmer but it wasn’t enough as the Prince George Cougars scored late before taking it in the shootout. Cole Moberg with two goals and the shootout winner played hero for the Northern BC side.
The contest got off to a fast start as Dylan Cozens’ dump in off the opening face off took a weird bounce in front of Cougars goalie Isaiah DiLaura, who fought it off. That would serve as some foreshadowing of what lay ahead for this game. Much of the early play would favour Prince George who established a good early forecheck but were unable to beat Lethbridge Reece Klassen. Those saves were key for the home side to keep it 0-0 early.
Key because it would be the Hurricanes opening the scoring, Taylor Ross would get his fifth of the year at the 6:31 mark, assists on the play to captain Jordy Bellerive and Igor Merezhko. That lead would be short lived. Coming out of the mid-period break Cougar captain John Curtis would rip home the tying goal, His second of the season. Import Vladislav Mikhalchuk and Rhett Rhinehart recorded helpers at 10:01 of the frame.
That goal would send the game into the break 1-1 as neither team could muster much in the final minutes. PG would hold the slight edge in shots after 20 with an 11-9 mark.
Folks would barely get back to their seats in the second before Curtis netted his second of the game and third of the season just 90 seconds in to give the visitors their first lead of the night. Once again Mikhalchuk assisted.
The story of the period would then turn to the Canes PP, getting an early chance but DiLarua would stand tall in his goal. The huge moment in the game would 6:54 into the frame when Cougars forward Mike MacLean would be assessed a five minute major for boarding and a game misconduct on an ugly hit on Canes defencemen Igor Merezhko.
Unfortunately for the boys in red they were unable to score on the five-minute power play but they did create a little momentum. Controlling the period, they were rewarded with another late power play. Ryan Schoettler was flagged for hooking and this time the Canes would cash in.
Keltie Jeri-Leon would pop his third of the season with two seconds on the clock while Jadon Joesph would get credit for the helper. All squared at 2-2 headed for the final frame. Shot Clock would read 21-6 for the home team in that period and 30-17 overall.
The third period began with a bang. This time it was the Hurricanes got off to a fast start. Just 54 seconds in, Joseph deflected the puck past a screened DiLaura, or so he thought. The play would be reviewed by officials and was ruled no goal due to a high stick. The game remained 2-2, but with the crowd back into the game the home side continued to press and again they were rewarded with a power play.
This time it wouldn’t go so well as again the Canes would give up a short-handed goal. This seems to be an issue early in the season. Tyson Upper would get his first WHL goal unassisted giving the Cougars a 3-2 lead 4:40 into the third. The Canes would get a short-handed goal of their own minutes later on a misplay behind the net.
DiLaura mishandled the puck and couldn’t find his defencemen. Joesph would steal the loose puck and find Jake Elmer for his sixth of the year and tied this game up once again. PG would respond off the faceoff and on the same PP just 42 seconds after Elmer’s goal, Cole Molberg would record his first of the season putting his team back on top. Assists on the power play goal were credited to Rhett Rhinehart and Josh Curtis.
Yet again it was another short lived lead. A mere 36 seconds later Mr Elmer would rocket home his seventh of the season and second of the night. Merezhko would get his second assist on the night, Calen Addison also assisted on the play. The scoring would let up in this period as just shy of a minute later on the power play The Hurricanes would gain the lead back. Ross tallied his second goal of the game off a feed from Jeri-Leon and Addison.
At a 5-4 game, the Canes looked to be in control to steer this one home but hold on because Prince George wasn’t going to go away that easy. Pressing hard they would get there chances and they eventually cashed in. Cole Moberg would snipe home his second of the night past Klassen. It was a beautiful shot from the defencemen. The lone assist would go to DiLaura who sprung Moberg. Tie game with 4:34 to play.
Plenty of time for another goal but neither side could solve the goalie and we head to extras. Shots would come in at a 19-13 edge for the Hurricanes in the period and 49-30 as well for the Canes.
Not much would happen in overtime, Lethbridge would get a power play in the final 37 seconds but couldn’t find the winner. This game would be settled in the shootout. Shots were 5-0 in the extra period in favour of the home side. The Canes shot first and Ty Kolle would convert before the Cougars got a goal of their own from Ethan Browne. Tied after one round.
Round two saw Jordy Bellerive miss for the Canes and Mikhalchuk score for the Cougars, 2-1 advance. Needing a goal Coach Kisio turned to Dylan Cozens who had all the moves and scored to tie the shootout at 2-2. This set the stage for a must stop from Klassen. Cole Moberg would step up and complete his night, scoring a beauty and giving his team the 6-5 victory. What a game.
Game notes: Attendance announced in the Enmax Centre at 3519. 3 stars were 3) Jake Elmer (Let) 2) Josh Curtis (PG) and 1) Taylor Ross (Let), Next up for the Hurricanes is Tuesday, Oct 16 when the Kootenay Ice visit. Cougars are off to visit the Ice Sunday afternoon.
