A second period surge by Prince George saw them reduce an early two-goal deficit.
However, the Victoria Royals had other plans of their own, evening the score with minutes left in regulation before finding the back of the net in overtime and handing the Cougars a 4-3 loss.
FINAL: @PGCougars (3) at @victoriaroyals (4) — OT
SCORING ? | https://t.co/8Cywj6iOnb#VICvsPG
— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 10, 2018
Victoria potted the first two tallies in the Friday night contest, one in the first period and one in the second, in front of more than 6,600 fans at their home barn.
Cougars’ call-up forward Reid Perepeluk kickstarted his team’s comeback with 30 seconds left in the middle frame.
Prince George played follow the leader to Perepeluk’s first career WHL goal with two more in less than a four-minute span, courtesy of Rhett Rhinehart, his second of the season, and Josh Maser, his team-leading 28th.
After maintaining the 3-2 lead for 10 minutes, the Royals managed to punch in the tying goal, sending the contest to overtime, where the home team would walk away with the two points near the halfway mark.
Goaltender Tavin Grant posted a 39-save performance on 43 total shots, while Aaron Boyd got two points (2A) in the loss.
Griffen Outhouse of Likely, B.C. came into the game with his team down 3-2, and made five saves in relief to pick up the win in net.
“Personally, I think we dominated the game,” said PG Assistant Head Coach Steve O’Rourke on 94.3 the GOAT’s post-game.
“Physically, offensively, puck possession, defensively; I just think it was a good overall game for us. That being said, we got to get all the pucks through to the net and then, soon as you know it, one turnaround leads to a goal from Victoria and we need to sharpen our skills there if we want to hold on to a lead moving forward.”
“All we’re asking these guys is to compete for 60 minutes, we got that tonight, all in all a great effort by the guys.” -Associate Coach Steve O’Rourke on tonight’s 4-3 Overtime loss against Victoria. #United
— PG Cougars (@PGCougars) March 10, 2018
Prince George salvages a point in the loss, dropping its record to 23-36-5-4 in the BC Division.
The Cougars will play one last time in Victoria this season Sunday afternoon, 2:05PM before finishing their four-game road trip on the Okanagan next week.
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