A sleepy Prince George Cougars team gave up four goals to start the second period Friday, falling 6-3 to the Brandon Wheat Kings.
It's the Cougars (2-3-0-1) second straight loss on their seven-game road trip through the Western Hockey League's East Division. Prince George fell 4-1 to the Saskatoon Blades on Wednesday after beating the Prince Albert Raiders 6-3 the night before.
The Wheat Kings (4-1) trailed 2-1 after the first period in front of 3,871 fans at Westman Place, but three goals in the first 2:39 of the second frame gave the home team momentum. Alessio Bertaggia started the onslaught 11 seconds into the period.
Michael Ferland had the third, fourth and sixth goals for the Wheat Kings, giving the veteran seven goals this season.
Rookie Devon Fordyce started in net for the Cougars, but was replaced by Drew Owsley after giving up five goals on 18 shots midway through the second period. Owsley stopped all 18 shots he faced.
Brandon out shot Prince George 37-28.
Spencer Asuchak gave the Cougars a 1-0 lead when he beat Wheat Kings goaltender Corbin Boes only 1:38 into the game. Brandon tied the game at 1-1 on defenceman Ryan Putlock's first goal of the season, but Jordan Tkatch restored the visitor's lead before the period was over - the third goal in as many games for the rookie.
Brandon rookie Carter Proft notched his first WHL goal to give the Wheat Kings a 5-2 advantage, chasing Fordyce from the net.
Troy Bourke pulled the Cougars within two goals at 5-3 early in the third period, but Ferland's hat-trick goal into the empty net clinched it for the Wheat Kings.
The Cougars continue their road trip tonight in Regina when they play the Pats (5-1).
