Prince George Cougars advance to WHL Western Conference Championship
For the fourth time in Prince George’s history, the Cougars are advancing to the WHL Western Conference Championship.
The Cougars clinched a berth in the Western Conference Championship with a 6-3 win over the Kelowna Rockets on April 19, taking the second-round series in five games.
Washington Capitals prospect Zac Funk, who had a staggering eight hat tricks in the regular season, netted his first three-goal performance of the playoffs with a pair of powerplay tallies and an even-strength snipe.
After the Rockets scored two quick goals to take a 2-1 lead in Game 5, Cougars Head Coach Mark Lamb called a time-out, getting his team back on track to score five straight goals to regain the lead and close out the second period.
Minnesota Wild prospect Riley Heidt flexed his offensive prowess with a pair of goals- including the game-winner- and two assists to match his highest-scoring performance of the postseason.
Heidt led all Prince George skaters with nine points (three goals, six assists) in the second round.
Between the pipes, rookie Joshua Ravensbergen closed out the series with an 18-save performance in Game 5, a 4-0-0-0 record, a 1.49 goals-against average, a .935 save percentage and two shutouts.
This marks the first time Prince George has advanced to the third round since 2007.
Prince George will face the U.S. Division-winning Portland Winterhawks in the Western Conference Championship.
The Winterhawks swept the Cougars in their last postseason meeting in the first round of the 2022 WHL Playoffs.
Prince George and Portland traded wins during the regular season, tying their series with two wins each.
Game 1 is set for Friday, April 26 at Prince George’s CN Centre at 7:00 p.m. PST, with a full schedule announcement to follow in the coming days.