Matteo Danis’ OT Heroics Give Cougars Commanding 3-0 Series Lead
PHOTO: Steve Dunsmoor
Kelowna, BC – Matteo Danis’ first goal of the WHL Playoffs proved to be a crucial one as his OT tally earned the Prince George Cougars a 4-3 win and a 3-0 series lead in the Western Conference Semi-Finals, Tuesday at Prospera Place.
With the win, the Cougars are now one win away from securing their spot in the Western Conference final for the first time since 2007.
Hudson Thornton, Ondrej Becher, Borya Valis, and Matteo Danis supplied the Cougar offence, and Joshua Ravensbergen picked up his sixth win of the post-season, making 32 saves.
GOALS
1st Period
1-0 Cougars at 4:19 – Hudson Thornton (2) (PP), assisted by Ondrej Becher and Riley Heidt // On an early PG power-play, Hudson Thornton received a pass from Ondrej Becher and the captain’s wrist shot from the point solved Jari Kykkanen to give Prince George an early lead.
2nd Period
1-1 Rockets at 5:13 – Ethan Neutens (1), assisted by Caden Price and Kayden Sadhra-Kang // Rocket forward Ethan Neutens received a pass from Caden Price and Neutens fired a wrist shot from the left circle passed Josh Ravensbergen for the Rockets’ first goal of the series.
2-1 Rockets at 6:04 – Michael Cicek (2), assisted by Hiroki Gojsic and Ty Hurley // Forward Ty Hurley was able to get the puck down low to Hiroki Gojsic who then spotted Michael Cicek at the left circle and fired the puck top corner on Ravensbergen for Kelowna’s first lead of the series.
2-2 Cougars at 13:04 – Ondrej Becher (3) (PP), assisted by Hudson Thornton and Terik Parascak // Back to a man advantage, and the Cougars once again connected. Ondrej Becher rifled a one-timer from the left circle off the back bar to tie the game up at two after a nice passing play with Hudson Thornton.
3rd Period
3-2 Cougars at 10:25– Borya Valis (5), unassisted // Goaltender Jari Kykkanen went behind his net to play the puck as he was pressured by Ondrej Becher, and the Rocket goaltender turned it over to Borya Valis who potted the puck in the open cage from the right cirlce to give the Cougars their second lead of the night.
3-3 Rockets at 10:25 – Gabriel Szturc (5), assisted by Andrew Cristall and Tij Iginla // An Andrew Cristall shot was initially blocked by a Cougar, and it deflected towards captain Gabriel Szturc who scored from the right circle to tie the game.
Overtime
4-3 Cougars at 1:22 – Matteo Danis (1), assisted by Jett Lajoie and Oren Shtrom // Oren Shtrom was able to bump the puck off of Tij Iginla in the defensive zone and then spotted Jett Lajoie who carried the puck into Rocket territory and the rookie forward made a tremendous feed to Matteo Danis who tapped home first of the playoffs to give the Cougars the OT victory.
FINAL SCORE:
PG: 4 KEL: 3 (OT)
FINAL SHOTS:
PG: 33 KEL: 35
POWER-PLAYS:
PG: 2-4 KEL: 0-5
GOALTENDING:
PG: Joshua Ravensbergen – 61:22 – 32/35
KEL: Jari Kykkanen – 61:22 – 29/33
3 STARS:
1.KEL: Michael Cicek (1-0-1)
2.KEL: Gabriel Szturc (1-0-1)
3.PG: Hudson Thornton (1-1-2)
MATTEO DANIS ON THE OVERTIME GOAL
POST-GAME INTERVIEW WITH ASSISTANT COACH CARTER RIGBY
