The Omineca Source for Sports Cougars fell one win short of the playoff round during a weekend minor hockey tournament in Kamloops.
The local bantam Tier 3 reps were skating in their first tournament of the season and finished with a 1-2-1 record. In their final game, they needed to beat Seattle to secure a playoff berth but lost 3-0 after starting goaltender Zach Parlee was injured at the end of the first period and was forced out of the contest.
At the time of Parlee's injury, the teams were locked in a scoreless tie. Parlee was replaced by Alex Schinkel, who played well but surrendered a couple of goals. Seattle's last goal was an empty-netter.
The Cats started the tournament with a 5-2 win against Port Coquitlam. Kolton Dyck scored two of the Prince George goals, while singles went to Jaden French, Douglas Porter and Aiden Quartly. Dyck earned player-of-the-game honours.
Next, the Cougars fell 6-2 to Kamloops. Dyck and Brayden Stafford were the Prince George marksmen.
In their third game, the Cats seemed on their way to victory against Vancouver but surrendered two goals in the final minute and settled for a 4-4 tie. Brandon Gill scored twice for the Cougars, who also got goals from Stafford and Noah Goyer. Schinkel was chosen as player of the game.
The Cougars will be in Salmon Arm this weekend for another tournament.
