Carson Carels took the game by the throat and led a furious comeback for Team WHL West at the Prospects Game.
Unfortunately, the rally fell one-goal short as Daxon Rudolph’s game-winner in overtime led Team WHL East to a 5-4 victory at the Langley Events Centre on Wednesday.
Down 3-0 late in the second period, Carels began the road back for West as the Cougars standout blueliner assisted on a Tyus Sparks goal trimming the deficit.
In the opening shift of the third, Carels began another offensive sequence on the power-play where Sparks lit the lamp a second time to make it 3-2.
Ridiculous stuff from OUR GUY. 😮💨
— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) February 19, 2026
Less than three minutes later, the Cypress River, Manitoba product sprung Spokane Chiefs forward Brody Gillespie who beat Team East goalie Carter Casey, drawing the Western prospects on even terms.
The frantic action continued as Medicine Hat Tigers forward Liam Ruck put East back in the driver’s seat beating goaltender Marek Sklenicka.
An Ethan Mackenzie tripping penalty put West back on the power-play, where Carels got another opportunity to strut his stuff offensively.
The 17-year-old defenceman set up Kamloops Blazers star forward JP Hurlbert forcing overtime.
Chalk up another helper for Carson!!!
— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) February 19, 2026
Landon Amrhein, Zach Olsen and Girgos Pantelas put the Team East ahead by a 3-0 score by the five-minute mark of the second period.
Cougars forward Kayden Lemire was held pointless in defeat for Team West.
West outshot East by a 37-24 margin while going 3-for-4 on the power-play. East went 1-for-2.
Local product and Spokane Chiefs forward Chase Harrington was held pointless and record a plus-one rating in defeat.
Cats head coach and general manager Mark Lamb was the bench boss for Team West.
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