A mere 48 hours after losing a close shave against Kamloops, the Prince George Cougars showed some moxie against another BC Division rival.
A hat-trick performance by Connor Bowie led the Cats to a triumphant 5-3 victory against the Victoria Royals on Monday at Prospera Place in Kelowna.
For the second consecutive game, PG gave up the first goal as Brandon Cutler lit the lamp 1:31 into the opening period for an early 1-0 lead.
Bowie potted his first of three banging home an Ethan Samson shot past Victoria netminder Adam Evanoff.
The Cougars pulled ahead six minutes later courtesy of a big-league shot from second overall pick Riley Heidt who found the top corner on Evanoff.
How about this snipe ? from @PGCougars star Riley Heidt? Good enough for the #REMAXHub #WHLHoN? Yeah, we’d say so. pic.twitter.com/bUBcS0Z18m
— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 30, 2021
While on a late power-play, Bowie parked himself in front of the Royals net and pounced on a Kyren Gronick feed to put the Cats up 3-1.
Keanu Derungs responded for Victoria at the 15:12 mark of the opening frame to slice the Cougars lead to 3-2 after 20 minutes.
In the second, Tarun Fizer put the Royals on even terms finishing off a three-way scoring play that included Jason Spizawka and Gannon Laroque.
Undeterred, PG clawed right back courtesy of Ethan Browne who netted his second goal of the shortened WHL season, sliding it past the outstretched pad of Evanoff.
Before the intermission, Bowie capped off the offensive outburst with another power-play marker.
Take a bow! ???
Connor Bowie can’t be stopped & he’s got a hat trick!@PGCougars | #SubwayWHLHub pic.twitter.com/ZAj1gD3kfe
— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 30, 2021
Despite a strong push from the Royals in the third period, Tyler Brennan stood tall in the Cougars net turning aside all 14 shots he faced.
The Cougars improve to 1-1 inside the BC Division Hub while the Royals drop to 0-2.
PG outshot the Royals 39-32 and subsequently went two-for-five on the man advantage.
The Cougars are back in action on Wednesday against the Vancouver Giants (1-1) from the Sandman Centre in Kamloops.
Puck drop is at 7pm and you can catch all the action on 94.3 The Goat.
Goodnight from Kelowna ☺️#NorthernUprising #WHL pic.twitter.com/ssmOdpSAls
— PG Cougars (@PGCougars) March 30, 2021