For the Prince George Cougars, the 2011-2012 season ended the way it began with a victory over the Kamloops Blazers, unfortunately there were 70 games in-between that didn't always go the Cats' way.
The Cougars (24-46-0-2) emerged with a 4-2 win Saturday in front of an announced crowd of 4,582 at CN Centre in an emotionless game that the Blazers (47-20-2-3) clearly just wanted to survive without any injuries as they head into the Western Hockey League playoffs.
After three seasons representing Prince George Spencer Asuchak ended his junior career by notching two goals, one into the empty net, to finish with 95 career points (49 goals) in 224 games.
"It was pretty good to end my WHL career with two goals and get the win for the boys," said the 20-year-old Kamloops native. "I had a pretty good time here the last three years. We had some ups and downs but it was a good place to play."
Asuchak, along with his fellow graduating teammates, goaltender Drew Owsley and defenceman Cody Carlson, were recognized both prior to the the final game and at the end. Owsley ended his career in an unfamiliar place - on the bench as Devon Fordyce drew the start in the Cougars' net.
Owsley played in 64 games for the Cougars, compiling a 22-38-0-1 record in 3,628 minutes of action. The 21 year old posted a .905 save percentage and had three shutouts, including a 1-0 win in Kamloops on Sept. 24 in the season opener.
Fordyce, 17, was solid in the Prince George net Saturday, making 38 saves for his second career WHL win, including a late game-saver off Blazers' 36-goal scorer Tim Bozon late in the third period, after defenceman Reid Jackson gave the Cats a 3-2 lead with an unassisted power-play marker.
Troy Bourke assisted on both Asuchak's goals with a pair of nifty passes.
"He's an amazing hockey player," said Asuchak. "It's a pleasure to play with him."
Prince George native Chase Witala gave the Cougars a 1-0 lead when he found the puck in the slot and slid it into the open cage behind a fallen Cam Lanigan in the Kamloops' net. Cole Cheveldave, who was a perfect 6-0 against the Cats this season, didn't dress for the Blazers.
Bozon and Ryan Hanes had the Blazers' goals.
Cody Carlson, who joined the Cougars last season in a trade from the Regina Pats, said the team's 5-5 record in down the stretch was a positive.
"It's not easy missing playoffs by two points but we finished off the year strong and we didn't quit," said the Victoria native.
Carlson had a career-high 38 points for the Cougars this season and in five WHL seasons with the Medicine Hat Tigers, Pats and Cougars has 25 goals and 135 points in 305 games.
The Cougars players will have their season-ending meeting with head coach Dean Clark today before heading home. Carlson and Asuchak are both unsure of what they plan to do - use their WHL scholarship opportunities to attend a Canadian university or college or try to play professional somewhere.
"There's lots of options I'm exploring right now," said Carlson, the only Cougars' player to play in all 72 Cougars games. "I just have to keep working hard and something will open up for me."
