The Prince George Cougars knocked off the top team in the Western Hockey League's B.C. Division on Tuesday night at CN Centre.
The Cougars, last in the division, defeated the Kelowna Rockets 4-1 in front of an announced crowd of 2,273. The teams were tied 1-1 after the first period but the Cats shut the Rockets out the rest of the way and put up three more goals of their own in the second period.
Cougars goaltender Taylor Gauthier faced 21 shots and surrendered just the one goal, to Erik Gardiner on a power play at 12:45 of the first period. Vladislav Mikhalchuk got that one back for the home team before the period ended. Mikhalchuk now has 14 goals on the season.
In the second period, Austin Crossley - with his second goal of the season - scored early for the Cougars. The Cats then got a goal from Josh Maser at 13:05 and cashed in on a power play at 16:09, with defenceman Joel Lakusta doing the damage. Maser's goal was his team-leading 26th.
The third period was scoreless. Overall, the Cougars directed 18 shots at Kelowna goaltender Brodan Salmond.
With the result, the Cougars improved to 21-33-4-4 and the Rockets dropped to 38-19-4-2.
A rematch is set for Wednesday at 7 p.m. at CN Centre.
