The worst lead in Hockey.
The Prince George Cougars took a two-goal lead into the third period but ultimately fell 5-3 to the Kamloops Blazers last night.
“You’re up two with minutes to go, causing o-zone turnovers and trying to make fancy plays at the offensive blue line, and not getting pucks out of our end, that’s what happens,” said Assistant Coach Carter Rigby on the post game show on 94.3 the Goat.
“It’s a humbling game fore sure, and that’s a stinger for us.”
Both the Blazers and Cougars struck early. Andrew Thomson opened the scoring less than three minutes into the game, and Aiden Foster answered shortly after.
Aiden Foster’s moves in tight have this one tied!@TBLightning | @CarlsJrCa https://t.co/fzGHMqppTK pic.twitter.com/lxbhil2x8I
— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) December 31, 2025
The Cougars were buzzing in the second. Putting immense pressure on the Blazers with the powerplay, Brock Souch put the Cougars in front.
Souch has his 11th of the season, and the dub’s best powerplay does it again!@CarlsJrCA https://t.co/HakPDFcwG9 pic.twitter.com/t2t0qKAbWk
— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) December 31, 2025
Foster extended the Cougars lead after Terik Parascak won the race to a loose puck and found the Tampa Bay Lightning prospect in the slot.
Perry wins the race, Foster picks up his second of the night!@TBLightning | @Capitals | @CarlsJrCA https://t.co/17tupL1KGL pic.twitter.com/SZzaDztVZR
— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) December 31, 2025
Things started to unravel in the third period. The Blazers scored four unanswered, including two in the span of nine seconds and an empty netter.
“Probably bored with the simple details it takes to win a hockey game,” Rigby said.
“Fozzy gets two, and you’re probably thinking you want to get him three, but it’s causing turnovers at the offensive blue, and not working back, and they capitalize on two great chances.”
Rigby said it’s been something that’s been creeping in for the group.
“Lamber said before too, we’re in the mud a little bit,” he said.
“We just need a mature group to show up there and be young men and lead by example, and we don’t have that out of our top guys there late in the third, it’s hard for the young guys to follow.”
With Alexander Levshyn pulled for the extra attacker, Dmitri Yakutsenak took a high stick that went uncalled, which led to the empty net goal that iced the game.
Levshyn made 30 saves on 34 shots for the Cougars.
The box score is here.
The Cougars (23-11-1-0) are on top of the WHL’s BC Division.
The WHL standings are here.
The Cougars will ring in the new year on Thursday in Penticton with the Vees.
The full Cougars schedule is here.
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