One powerplay goal was the difference as the Prince George Cougars fell 4-2 against the Tri-City Americans in game three of their best-of-seven first round series.
Tri-City’s win in front of a small but loud home crowd of 2,595 fans at the Toyota Center gave them a 2-1 series lead.
In a sharp contrast to the two previous meetings in this first round series, this game was a parade to the penalty box for both teams.
The Cougars found themselves with the man advantage five times, while the Americans had it six times.
Parker Bell scored the lone powerplay goal of the night for the Americans, which was the eventual game winner.
It came at 5:31 of the third period.
An empty net Tri-City goal put the game away.
“There wasn’t a lot of hard penalties taken, they were all slashes, hooks, and those are the ones, especially 200 feet from your net, you can’t be taking,” said Cougars Assistant Coach Carter Rigby on last night’s post game show on 94.3 The Goat.
“They battled and competed, won the one-on-one battles and at the end day they outplayed us. They deserve that one.”
Down 2-0 in the second, Chase Wheatcroft got the Cougars on the board with an unassisted goal, beating a blazing hot Tomas Suchanek.
Playoff Wheats has arrived 😎@DallasStars https://t.co/YcWoCn6N1z pic.twitter.com/qYapppkT50
— x – Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) April 5, 2023
In the third, Hudson Thornton tied the game at two with a laser.
We have a game in Kennewick! https://t.co/lPSuA2yjwx pic.twitter.com/izqMTgKNQL
— x – Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) April 5, 2023
A scary sight for Cougars fans, as starting goalie Tyler Brennan left the game with 3:01 to go in the second period with an apparent injury.
Ty Young stepped in between the pipes and stepped up, stopping eight of the nine shots he faced.
The full box score can be found here.
The Cougars will look to claw back in the series tonight as game 4 will be played in Kennewick tonight. (7:05)
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