The battle of two Princes was close Friday night (Jan. 10) in northern Saskatchewan.
The Cougars were able to stick with the Prince Albert Raiders in the second of their six-game road-trip through the prairies, with one of the team’s newest recruits standings out.
Jonny Hooker, whom Prince George acquired from Brandon Thursday night (Jan. 9), scored his first with his new team while on a man-advantage, which evened up the contest at 1-1 early in the third period.
However, it was the defending Western Hockey League (WHL) champions that eventually prevailed 2-1 and handed the Cougars a second straight loss, but retained a single point since went to overtime.
Goaltender Taylor Gauthier made 38 saves on 40 shots, including all 14 in the third when the Raiders pressed in the final two minutes while on a penalty kill.
Both teams were square through the first two frames with only one power-play in that time span awarded to Prince Albert.
The green and black got on the scoreboard first just 13 seconds into the next period.
Hooker got the Cats back into the contest 54 clicks later after the Raiders took a cross-checking penalty, getting help Jack Sander and Ethan Samson.
Gauthier helped Prince George get the first of two possible points by sending the tilt into overtime, but let the game-winning puck get by with 1:26 left.
In their last two games, the Cougars earned two of four points, including one from Wednesday’s (Jan. 8) shootout decision in Regina.
Their record now sits at 10-22-3-4.
Prince George will stay in Saskatchewan for game three of the East Division swing, taking on the Saskatoon Blades tonight (Jan. 11) at 5 p.m.
