The Cariboo Cougars have discovered life on the losing side of the ledger.
The Prince George-based B.C. Major Midget Hockey League team lost 2-1 Friday night to the Okanagan Hockey Academy in a preseason game played in Penticton.
Matthew Needham, a 15-year-old first-round bantam draft pick of the Kamloops Blazers, scored both Okanagan goals. Chase Astorino, a rookie with the Cougars, made it a 1-1 in the second period before Needham fired the gamewinner later in the period.
David Readman and Jared Rathjen combined to make 24 saves in the Cougar nets as they were outshot 26-24.
The Cougars, now 1-1 in the preseason, continue their preseason tournament today in Kelowna with games against the Pursuit of Excellence and Wenatchee, Wash., then play the Portland junior Hawks on Sunday.
