iSight Optometry Recap: Cougars blank Rockets to open second round series
The Western Conference champion Prince George Cougars blanked the Kelowna Rockets 4-0 on Friday in the opening game of their second round series at the CN Centre in Prince George.
GAME SUMMARY
The Cougars took the first lead of the series with 1:26 left on the clock in the first period. Rockets starter Jari Kykkanen initially stopped Zac Funk at the backdoor, but the rebound floated out to the front of the net where Ephram McNutt (1) lifted the puck over a sprawling Kykkanen.
Jumping for the puck in the air, defenceman Caden Price was unable to handle it once he put it down on the ice, Terik Parascak (5) picked it up taking off on a short-handed breakaway two goal lead 3:24 into the second period.
After some fractured play in the neutral zone, the Cougars were able to take off into the Rockets zone on nearly a three-on-one. There Keaton Dowhaniuk (3) coasted into the slot uncontested where he ripped a one-timer past Kykkanen 1:34 into the third period. Prince George gabbed a four goal lead 2:27 later. Taking off on a two-on-one, Borya Valis (3) finished off a back door play on a give and go from Zac Funk.
ADDITIONAL STATS
- Kelowna was 0/3 on the man advantage while the Prince George was 0/1
- Prince George outshot Kelowna 33-21
- Jari Kykkanen stopped 29 of the 33 shots he faced while Joshua Ravensbergen turned aside all 21 shots fired on him
- The Cougars lead the best of seven series 1-0
UP NEXT
The Rockets and Cougars will meet again at the CN Centre for game two, puck drop is set for 6:00 pm. Fans can watch on CHL TV or listen on 104.7 The Lizard.
Fans can watch the Rockets next at Prospera Place on April 16 and 17 when Kelowna hosts the Cougars for games three and four.
Tickets can be purchased online at selectyourtickets.com, by calling Select Your Tickets at 250-762-5050 or by visiting the Select Your Tickets box office at the Prospera Place box office. The box office is open 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and opens at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday home game days.