The Prince George Cougars organization, coaches, players, and 3,833 fans Friday night at the CN Centre witnessed a moment unlike any other.
A bright red banner rose to the rafters reading ‘BC Division Champions, 2017’ for all to admire, and acknowledge arguably one of the best seasons in the Cats’ 24-year history.
The celebration however, was spoiled by the Spokane Chiefs, who grabbed an early lead in the game and never looked back to win 4-2 in Prince George’s home opener.
.@PGCougars raise 1st BC Division banner in team's 24yr history; hoping to bring luck on opening night ? @spokanechiefs | #CityOfPG @mypgnow pic.twitter.com/vwTqmHbjYK
— Kyle Balzer (@KyleBalzer) September 23, 2017
The visiting team scored two goals in seven minutes during the first period courtesy of Saskatchewan products Taylor Ross and Riley Woods.
Spokane would add another goal nine minutes into the middle frame to make it a 3-0 advantage.
That is, until Cougars’ Russian-import Nikita Popugaev, who recently returned from NHL Training Camp with the New Jersey Devils, blasted a rocket on a power-play later in the period to cut the lead to 3-1.
“We usually put players out on the power-play that are familiar with each other because that works for us. Getting Popugaev back was a big help with that too,” said Cougars Head Coach Richard Matvichuk during 94.3 the GOAT’s post-game show.
“We’re gonna give everyone the best chance they can to play some hockey this weekend. Some of our other 20-year-olds will be in tomorrow night and we’re hoping they can help us out.”
From: Nikita Popugaev, @PGCougars
To: Back of the net
Delivery status: Ahead of schedule ?#WHLOpeningWeek pic.twitter.com/rupqLb7rrT— The WHL (@TheWHL) September 23, 2017
The glimmer of hope was cut short by Chiefs’ defenceman Ty Smith, the former number-one pick in the 2015 WHL Bantam Draft, who regained the three-goal lead before the end of the second.
Prince George native Ethan O’Rourke scored near the mid-mark of the third, but that’s all the offensive ability the Cougars were able to muster, watching the Chiefs steal the show on opening night.
.@PGCougars got 1 in the final period by @Ethan_ORourke20, but @spokanechiefs spoil banner night, hold on for 4-2 win | #CityOfPG @mypgnow pic.twitter.com/aOc0xAZCWS
— Kyle Balzer (@KyleBalzer) September 23, 2017
Goaltender Tavin Grant faced 31 shots in the loss, stopping 27 of them in the process, while at the other end, Spokane’s Dawson Weatherill made 28 saves on 30 attempts.
Coach Matvichuk says it was a tough night for his club, having to deal with some of the nerves of the younger players.
“We didn’t come out of the danger areas of the ice at times, which cost us some opportunities. We’re a young group and we’re going to keep building them up. We don’t want to take losing lightly, so we got to move on to the next game.”
Prince George will face Spokane in the second of a back-to-back home series to kick off the 2017-18 season Saturday night at 7PM.