It's official there will be no playoffs for the Prince George Cougars for the second straight season.
The Cougars (21-42-8) dropped a 5-2 decision to the Kamloops Blazers at the Interior Savings Centre on Friday night which ended any chance they had of clinching a playoff spot in the western conference of the Western Hockey League.
Tim Bozon had a four-point night including two goals to stake the Blazers out to a 5-0 lead before the Cougars notched a pair of power-play goals in the third period to mount a brief comeback. Ryan Hanes and Tanner Lishchynsky scored the goals for Prince George while rookie Jordan Harris picked up two assists.
Mac Engel started the game in the Cougars net but left halfway through the first period after being shaken up in a goal crease scrum, after giving up two goals on nine shots. Brett Zarowny finished the game in the Cats' net and stopped 15 of 18 shots.
The Cougars have missed the playoffs in three of the past four seasons.
The two teams conclude the regular season tonight, 7 p.m., at CN Centre as the Blazers prepare for their playoff series with the Victoria Royals and the Cougars get ready for summer. It'll be the final visit for Blazers captain, and Prince George native Dylan Willick as the 20-year-old is in the home stretch of his junior career.
