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Raiders roll over Cougars in third-period outbreak

Prince George falls 6-2 to Prince Albert despite keeping it close for 40 minutes
Kyle Balzer
Kyle Balzer
Cougars-Raiders-Moberg 2019
Defenceman Cole Moberg (#2) battles with a Prince Albert Raider at the CN Centre (via Prince George Cougars/James Doyle Photography)

The Prince Albert Raiders proved to residents of BC’s Northern capital why they’ve been Canada’s best junior hockey team this year.

The visitors picked up the pace of Wednesday night’s game in the final period despite the Prince George Cougars’ efforts to keep a firm grip on their sticks, eventually falling to the Raiders in a 6-2 decision.

Cats goaltender Taylor Gauthier had a valiant 43-save performance, while Ian Scott, Canada’s back-up netminder at the 2019 World Juniors last month, stopped 23 of 25 for Prince Albert.

Cougars-Raiders-Moberg-Gauthier 2019Taylor Gauthier (#35) looks for the puck while a defender tries to get into position for the Prince Albert Raiders (via Prince George Cougars/James Doyle Photography)

Prince George went 0/3 on the power-play and 5/6 on the penalty kill.

The Raiders began the evening with a 2-0 lead in the first, potting both goals in four minutes.

Cougars forward Jackson Leppard would cut the scoreboard in half at 2-1 before heading to the locker-room after 20 minutes of play.

Brendan Boyle and Josh Curtis (Captain) assisted on Leppard’s ninth of the 2018-19 season.

Prince George tied up the contest early in the middle frame with Mike MacLean redirecting a shot from Ryan Schoettler from the point; Rhett Rhinehart also picked up an assist.

The 2-2 stalemate went on for eight full minutes, but from there, Prince Albert took over, scoring one before the start of the third period, and following up with three unanswered goals ahead of the final buzzer.

The Cougars’ record now reads 16-23-1-2 and they still hold the second wild-card spot in the WHL’s Western Conference.

They’ve also won three of their last five games, with a 2-1 record halfway through their six-game homestand at the CN Centre.

Prince George will host a weekend doubleheader against the Kamloops Blazers this Saturday (7 p.m.) and Sunday (2 p.m.).