An ineffective power play helped contributed to the Prince George Cougars third straight loss.
The Cougars were 0-for-5 with the man-advantage Friday in front of an announced crowd of 1,874 at CN Centre as they fell 2-0 to their Western Hockey League B.C. Division rivals from Kamloops. Prince George is still looking for their first goal in 2012 as the Blazers (27-10-1-2) have blanked the Cats in back-to-back games.
The Cougars (13-23-0-2) lack of production on the power play is nothing new as they are the lowest scoring team in the league with only 89 goals for and have the worst power play in the league at 11.9 per cent.
The home side's offensive weakness spoiled yet another stellar performance by goaltender Drew Owsley as he faced 44 shots and held the Cougars in the game until Colin Smith snapped a quick wrist shot past the 20-year-old workhorse with about six minutes to play. The two-goal deficit deflated the Cougars.
Early in the third period Jake Mykitiuk nearly tied the game for the Cougars when he surprised Prince George product Dylan Willick as the Blazers' forward casually cut in front of his own net by poking the puck towards the goal.
Some of the Cougars best opportunities to score came off of rushes by defencemen.
Despite the loss the Cougars remain two points behind the Victoria Royals (13-24-0-2) for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference as the Royals fell 5-2 at home to Kelowna. The Seattle Thunderbirds (16-20-0-1) remain five points up on Prince George after dropping a 7-2 decision to the Tri-City Americans.
The Blazers opened the scoring a minute into the second period when defenceman Bronson Maschmeyer redirected the puck into the open cage behind Owsley after the Cougars' goaltender had made the initial save off a Tim Bozon shot. The goal was Maschmeyer's fifth of the season. Prince George outworked the Blazers in the dying minutes of the period trying to get the equalizer, but Cole Cheveldave continued to stymie the Cats. The 18 year old from Calgary blanked the Cougars in six straight periods, going back to a 5-0 win on Jan. 1 in Kamloops.
It was an evenly played first period with the difference being the three power plays the Blazers had as the visitors held the edge in shots 16-7 with most coming with the man-advantage. The Blazers best chance to score was a one-timer from Matt Needham when he sailed the puck over Owsley's left shoulder but it hit the corner of the crossbar and stayed out.
The Cougars were perfect on the penalty kill stopping the Blazers on all four of their attempts.
CAT SCRATCHES: The Cougars have launched a backyard rink contest where one family will host a game of shinny against members of the Cougars. The winner will be announced Feb. 10 when Prince George hosts the Edmonton Oil Kings. Entry forms can be found at all P.G. Home Depot locations and at the guest services table during Cougar home games or on the Cougars' website. The Blazers and Cougars clash at CN Centre again tonight at 7 p.m.
