2-1 OT WIN IN PRINCE GEORGE
The Blazers scored a goals on the first and last shots of the game to earn a 2-1 overtime win over the Prince George Cougars on Saturday night. Dylan Willick and Sam Grist had the Blazers goals, while goaltender Cole Cheveldave was solid making 26 saves for the win.
Unlike last night, the first shot of the game went in as Kale Kessy fed Dylan Willick who snapped home a shot past goaltender Mac Engel to make it 1-0. The Cougars had three power plays in the period, but the Blazers didn’t give them a sniff as the Cougars were 0-for-3 in the period. The Blazers held a slight 7-6 advantage on the shot clock.
The pace picked up in the second period with the Blazers creating more chances. Engel played well for the Cougars making a great save on Tim Bozon and JC Lipon in the period. At the other end, Cheveldave was also on his game making a couple of key saves for the Blazers. The period was scoreless as the Blazers dominated the shot clock 17-8.
The Cougars looked to tie the game early in the third period. Sam Grist went to the penalty box and the Cougars converted. A centering pass deflected onto Colin Jacobs stick and he slid one past Cheveldave to make it 1-1 only 1:06 into the third period. The Cougars gained momentum from the goal and created a few quality scoring chances. Cheveldave made a couple of great saves off Troy Bourke and Chase Witala in the period. The Blazers were given two power plays in the final 10 minutes of the period, but couldn’t convert as the game went into overtime.
3:01 in to overtime Sam Grist’s point shot got through Chase Souto’s screen in front of the net and Engel’s legs to lift the Blazers to the win. Tyler Hansen and Cole Ully helped set up the game winner, but Souto’s screen in front didn’t allow Engel to see the shot.
The Blazers finished the night 0-for-2 on the power play and 4-for-5 on the penalty kill. For the third consecutive game, the opposition goaltender was named first star in the building as Mac Engel made 32 saves in the loss.
The Blazers now return home for a day before heading back on the road as they are in Victoria for a pair of games on Tuesday and Wednesday night.
