They had ‘em on the ropes, but a comeback and some costly penalties ultimately decided Wednesday night’s (Dec. 4) overtime thriller at the CN Centre.
The Prince George Cougars endured a roller-coaster ride of a third period that included a 3-1 lead suddenly erased, forcing them to score a tying goal with 56 seconds left with the goaltender pulled.
However, overtime ice tipped in favour of the Portland Winterhawks to win by a final count of 5-4 and sweep the mid-week doubleheader.
After taking a two-tally advantage in the early moments of the final frame, the Cats allowed three goals in a seven-minute span, including two power-play goals coming off back-to-back penalties by Reid Perepeluk and one full-strength goal in-between.
The 4-3 Portland lead was carried over into the final minute of regulation when Taylor Gauthier skated to the bench for an extra Prince George attacker.
A sequence of prime passes around the boards led to an open net on Joel Hofer’s right side, where Vladislav Mikhalchuk lit his second lamp of the 2019-20 season and sent the contest into a sudden-death extra frame.
The Winterhawks ultimately sealed the victory and handed the Cougars their first overtime loss of the year courtesy of Clay Hanus after taking a pass in front by Robbie Fromm-Delorme in three-on-three action.
Prince George’s 10th game this season decided by one goal didn’t come without some positives as the home side came out flying in the first period, creating more chances and offensive pressure compared to Tuesday’s 3-0 setback.
They enjoyed leads of 1-0, 2-0, 2-1 and 3-1 before the comeback began for the ‘Hawks.
Josh Maser potted his team-leading 12th while on a power-play in the opening period from Mikhalchuk and Tyson Upper.
Newcomer Nikita Krivokrasov finally got a 14-game monkey off his back, scoring his first goal since starting the year with Tri-City, and his first as a Prince George Cougar, at 10:26 of the second stanza.
Chicago Blackhawks prospect Cole Moberg was credited with the lone assist.
Ilijah Colina had himself a two-point night of his own lighting the Cats’ third lamp of the evening 3:35 into the final period and adding an assist to Mikhalchuk’s game-tying goal later on.
Gauthier stopped 31 of 36 shots, his sixth 30-plus save performance in his last seven starts.
Wednesday’s loss earned Prince George one point, but the record now stands at 6-18-1-2.
They now migrate south of the border to Oregon for games Saturday (Dec. 7) and Sunday (Dec. 8) in Portland.
The four-game season series between the Cougars and the Winterhawks will be completed in just a matter of six days.
