The Prince George Cougars returned to CN Centre for a WHL regular season game for the first time in nearly 19 months.

For the 2,425 fans in attendance, most left disappointed despite a valiant effort from the home team.

The Kamloops Blazers scored the first three goals and went on for a 5-4 victory over the Cougars.

Connor Levis snapped a 4-4 tie on the power-play with 4:51 left in the third period.

The goal came just 2:14 after the Cougars tied the game with a power-play goal from their Captain, Jonny Hooker.

Hudson Thornton led P.G. with a goal and two assists and was named the game’s first star.

Kyren Gronick, and Riley Heidt also tallied for the Cats, who were outshot 31-29.

Tyler Brennan took the loss in net with 26 saves while Dylan Garand notched the victory with 25 stops.

Reese Belton and Marko Stacha gave the visitors a 2-0 lead after the first period.

Josh Pillar put Kamloops ahead 3-0 just 45-seconds into the middle frame before the Cougars scored three consecutive goals to tie the game after 40 minutes.

Tye Spencer gave the Blazers a 4-3 lead at 9:46 of the third.

The Cougars (0-1-0-0) now hit the road for a pair of games next weekend against the Vancouver Giants (1-0-0-0) and Blazers (1-0-0-0) on Friday and Saturday.

Fans can listen to all Cougars games on 94.3 The GOAT.

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring

Cougars: Thornton, Gronick, Heidt, Hooker (PPG)
Blazers: Belton, Stacha, Pillar, Spencer, Levis (PPG)

Goaltending

Cougars: Tyler Brennan, 58:55, 26/31
Blazers: Dylan Garand, 60:00, 25/29

Power-Play

Cougars: 1/3
Blazers:  1/4

Shots

Cougars: 29
Blazers: 31

Three Stars:  1) Hudson Thornton (PG) 2) Josh Pillar (Kamloops) 3) Jonny Hooker (PG)

With files from Fraser Rodgers of the PG Cougars