Cougars season concludes with an overtime loss

The Prince George Cougars season has come to an end.

Nolan Volcan scored his 2nd goal of the game on a rebound just 34 seconds into overtime giving the Seattle Thunderbirds a 4-3 victory over the Cougars and a 4-game sweep.

Seattle tallied the first two goals and the last two.

P.G. led 3-2 after two on goals by Jansen Harkins, Chase Witala and Jared Bethune.

Ty Edmonds made 35 saves as Seattle outshot Prince George 39-24 before 3,010 fans at CN Centre.

The loss ended the WHL careers for Witala, Joseph Carvalho and Luke Harrison, the three P.G. 20-year-olds.

The Cougars played without injured captain Sam Ruopp and suspended sniper Jesse Gabrielle.

Ruopp was hit from behind in game three by Seattle forward Keegan Kolesar, who has been suspended indefinitely by the WHL.

The Thunderbirds advance to the second round of the playoffs against the Everett Silvertips.

The Silvertips doubled Portland 4-2 to sweep that first round series 4-0.

Seattle is 17-0-1 in its last 18 games and 21-1-1 in its last 23.

The Thunderbirds outscored the Cougars 16-6, although two of the four games were decided in overtime.

In other WHL action from Wednesday: Kamloops whipped Kelowna 5-1 to tie the series 2-2.

Ex P.G. Cougar Alex Forsberg scored his second goal of the game in overtime to give Victoria a 3-2 victory over Spokane and a 3-1 series lead.

Former Cariboo Cougar Griffen Outhouse stopped 30 shots for the Royals.

Regina blanked Lethbridge 2-0 to take a 3-1 series lead and Brandon knocked off Edmonton 3-1 to reduce the Edmonton lead to 2-1.

Seattle vs. Prince George First Round results

Game 1 At Seattle 3, Prince George 2 (OT) March 25
Game 2 At Seattle 4, Prince George 1 March 26
Game 3 Seattle 5 @ Prince George 0 March 29
Game 4 Seattle 4 @ Prince George 3 (OT) March 30

In the WHL playoffs, home teams are 14-16, including 9-7 in the Western Conference and 5-9 in the Eastern Conference.

Photo courtesy of PG Cougars and Brett Cullen Photography