That was not the start the Prince George Cougars and their 5,418 fans at CN Centre were expecting.
The Portland Winterhawks held the Cougars to just nine shots over the final two periods and skated to a 4-2 victory over the Cats in Game 1 of their best-of-seven first round series.
RECAP: WINTERHAWKS 4 – COUGARS 2
Cats drop a 4-2 decision Friday at home in Gm 1. Gm 2 set for Sunday at 5.
MORE: https://t.co/XZ4XdqySOT pic.twitter.com/JaOPmEJHMU
— PG Cougars (@PGCougars) March 25, 2017
The Winterhawks opened the scoring, from defenceman Brendan De Jong, just 4:34 into the game and Portland led most of the game from that point.
Skyler McKenzie, Keegan Iverson and Colton Veloso (with an empty netter in the final minute) also tallied for Portland who were up 2-1 after one and 3-1 after two.
Jared Bethune and Jansen Harkins replied for the Cougars with both goals assisted by Colby McAuley.
.@JansenHarks26 pulls the @PGCougars to within one #PGvsPOR #WHLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/lIqgklCCyu
— #WHLPlayoffs (@TheWHL) March 25, 2017
The Winterhawks were 2-for-5 on the power play, while PG went 1-for-3 with the man advantage.
Portland outshot the hosts 35-25, including 25-9 over the final 40 minutes.
First star Cole Kehler made 23 saves while Ty Edmonds stopped 31.
The Cougars and youthful Winterhawks meet again Sunday at 5PM in Prince George before the Western Conference quarter-final shifts to Portland Wednesday and Thursday.
We look forward to welcoming our amazing fans to GAME #2 on Sunday, March 26 at 5pm. Tickets are available online at https://t.co/YjyokiY5Sz pic.twitter.com/O8kL0nmsjK
— PG Cougars (@PGCougars) March 25, 2017
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Game | Visitor | Home | DateÂ
1 | Portland @ Prince George Friday, March 24 Â Â (PORTLAND Â 4, PG 2)
2 | Portland @ Prince George Sunday, March 26 5:00
3 | Prince George @ Portland Wednesday, March 29 7:00
4 | Prince George @ Portland Thursday, March 30 7:00
5 | * Portland @ Prince George Saturday, April 1 7:00
6 | * Prince George @ Portland Monday, April 3 7:00
7 | * Portland @ Prince George Wednesday, April 5 7:00
*If necessary