The Red Deer Rebels had no mercy on the faltering Prince George Cougars.
They hammered the Cats 5-1 Saturday in Red Deer, extending the Cougars’ losing streak to a season-high six games.
Brandon Hagel scored two goals to lead the Rebel cause. Cameron Hausinger, Ashdeep Bains and Brett Davis also scored. Josh Curtis scored the lone Cougar goal.
Ethan Anders made 26 saves to earn the win in goal for Red Deer. Isaiah DiLaura took the loss, stopping 30 shots, including a penalty shot from Hagel in the second period.
The teams were tied after one period. Bain opened the scoring 4:23 into the game and Curtis tied it, after linemate Tyson Upper forced a turnover deep in the Red Deer end.
Hagel and Hausinger, on a 3-on-1 break scored in the second period and the Rebels added to their lead while the teams were playing 4-on-4 in the third period. Hagel collected his 30th of the season and Davis also scored.
The Cougars didn’t get much help from the teams they’re trying to catch to secure a playoff spot. The Kamloops Blazers beat Victoria 3-2 Saturday in Kamloops to take over the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference, four points ahead of the Cougars. Seattle lost 3-2 in overtime to Portland and the points left the T-birds three points up on Prince George. The good news from a Cougar perspective is the Vancouver Giants handed the Kelowna Rockets a 2-1 loss. Kelowna still holds down the third and final B.C. Division playoff spot, five points ahead of the Cougars.
The Cats (16-2-6-3-2) will be back on the ice today in Edmonton where they face the Central Division-leading Oil Kings (25-1-5-4-4). Game time is 2 p.m. PT.
