For the third straight game, the Prince George Cougars led in the third period, but failed to hold on as they dropped a 6-3 decision to the Rockets before 4,561 fans in Kelowna.
The Rockets rallied with five consecutive goals in the first 15 minutes of the final frame to erase a 2-1 deficit, and clinch first place in the BC Division.
It was the sixth consecutive loss for the (23-38-5-4) Cougars.
Third star Taylor Gauthier made 44 saves as Kelowna outshot Prince George 50-18, including 24-5 in the third.
Despite the loss, a great outing by @tgoats_35, stopping 44/50 & named the third star!
? @Marissa_Baecker #WHL pic.twitter.com/LRWKVodOyh— PG Cougars (@PGCougars) March 15, 2018
Brogan O’Brien (1G, 1A), Aaron Boyd, and Ryan Schoettler tallied for the Cats, with the O’Brien goal the only one in the second.
Defenceman Cal Foote had two goals and an assist, while his brother and winger Nolan Foote, along with Dillon Dube, notched a goal and an assist for the Rockets.
The 19-year-old Dube had 19 points (six goals) in the season series against Prince George, as the Rockets won six of eight.
It was a penalty-filled final period, which saw a couple of Cougars defencemen ejected, with suspensions looming.
Joel Lakusta took a five-minute major and a game misconduct for checking to the head, while Cameron MacPhee was given a game misconduct for a match attempt to injure.
“We crossed the line and it cost us a hockey game,” said Cougars Associate Head Coach Steve O’Rourke on 94.3 the GOAT‘s post-game show.
He admitted frustrations caught up to his team down the stretch, but was pleased with the overall effort.
“We are in game 70 and have nothing to play for, and these kids came out and competed, hard right to the end, and that’s what we’re asking.
Kelowna went zero-for-eight (0/8) on the power-play, while Prince George was one-for-four (1/4).
FINAL: @PGCougars (3) at @Kelowna_Rockets (6)
SCORING ? | https://t.co/jVNSoYj5ZQ#KELvsPG
— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 15, 2018
Prince George is 21st in the overall standings, two points behind Kootenay and Calgary, and five ahead of last place Edmonton with each team having two games left.
The Cougars wrap up their season with a home-and-home against the Blazers; Friday in Kamloops, and Saturday in Prince George.
The Saturday game at the CN Centre will be Fan Appreciation Night, where in excess of 4,200 tickets have already been sold.
WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE:
BC DIVISION STANDINGS:
Kelowna, 70 games = 41-22-5-2 (89 points)
Victoria, 70 games = 39-25-4-2 (84 points)
Vancouver, 70 games = 36-25-6-3 (81 points)
Kamloops, 70 games = 29-36-1-4 (63 points)
Prince George, 70 games = 23-38-5-4 (55 points)
WESTERN CONFERENCE WILD CARD:
Tri-City, 69 games = 36-24-8-1 (81 points)
Seattle, 69 games = 33-26-8-2 (76 points)
Kamloops, 70 games = 29-36-1-4 (63 points)
Prince George, 70 games = 23-38-5-4 (55 points)