Cougars Fall 3-2 to Chiefs in Game 4
SPOKANE, WASH – The Prince George Cougars and Spokane Chiefs are headed to Game 5.
The Cougars fell 3-2 to the Chiefs in Game 4 of the WHL Playoffs on Wednesday at the Numerica Veterans Memorial Arena. Josh Ravensbergen turned in another outstanding performance with 42 saves in the loss, while Townes Kozicky and Lee Shurgot provided the Prince George offence.
On special teams, the Cougars went 0-for-2 on the power play and a perfect 6-for-6 on the penalty kill.
Post-Game Audio with Assistant Coach Carter Rigby
At the 9:14 mark of the opening period, Spokane forward Coco Armstrong was assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct for cross-checking, giving the Cougars an extended power-play opportunity. However, it was the Chiefs who opened the scoring. Following a Cougar turnover, Spokane created an odd-man rush that led to Owen Martin’s second goal of the series at 9:52.
Prince George generated chances but could not capitalize on the lengthy power play, and Spokane carried a 1-0 lead through 20 minutes.
In the second period, the Cougars found the equalizer. Townes Kozicky scored his first WHL playoff goal at 4:55, locating a loose puck in front to tie the game at one. Prince George spent six minutes shorthanded in the period, but Ravensbergen and the penalty killers stood tall to keep the game even.
Spokane regained momentum late in the frame, as Assanali Sarkenov (15:16) and Gavin Burcar (16:14) scored 58 seconds apart to give the Chiefs a 3-1 lead after two periods. The Chiefs heavily outshot the Cougars 25-8 in the middle frame.
The Cougars pushed in the third period and generated some quality looks. Chiefs forward Tyus Sparks was awarded a penalty-shot, but Josh Ravensbergen stood tall and kept the game at 3-1. With the net empty, Lee Shurgot finished a strong passing play from Brock Souch and Kooper Gizowski at 18:20 to bring Prince George within one. That would be as close as the Cougars would come, as Spokane held on for the 3-2 win to force a decisive Game 5 on Thursday night in Spokane.
