Cats Top the Chiefs in Spokane.

Saturday in Spokane, the Prince George Cougars grabbed their second straight victory with a 5-4 decision over the Spokane Chiefs. The Cougars had five different goal scorers including Linden Springer who’s first ever Western Hockey League goal proved to be the game-winner.

The Cougars got the ball rolling early in the first when Charles Inglis pounced on a Spokane giveaway, and wired a shot by Luke Lee-Knight to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead.

Spokane quickly tied it when Marek Kalus knocked a rebound by Drew Owsley for his sixth of the campaign.

The Chiefs took a 2-1 lead at 8:39 when Austin Bardaro redirected a Brenden Kitchton point-shot past Owsley, but there lead would be short-lived.

21 seconds later the Prince George Cougars tied it when Greg Fraser converted on an odd-man rush. Charles Inglis and Jesse Forsberg started the play and Greg Fraser finished it at the left-wing side for his eighth goal of the season.

It was tied 2-2 after 20 minutes, but it could have been worse had it not been for some money saves from Drew Owsley. Spokane outshot the Cougars 14-5 in the first frame.

Early in the second the Cougars took the lead again when Troy Bourke finished a Spencer Asuchak rebound. The goal came just 19 seconds into the period.

Once again it didn’t last long. The Cougars were given a power play but it was Spokane who took advantage short-handed. Blake Gal was sprung on a short-handed breakaway, and he finished on the back-hand to tie the score at three.

Once more the Cougars responded well. Campbell Elynuik won a battle along the left-boards and threw a shot on goal. The shot foundi t’s way through Luke Lee-Knight to give the Cats a 4-3 advantage. That goal spelt the end of the line for lee-Knight who was pulled in favor of Mac Engel. Lee-Knight surrendered four goals on 10 shots faced.

The Cougars managed nine shots on goal in the second frame and took a 4-3 lead into the third.

The Cougars resiliency was tested early in the third when Spokane scored just 10 seconds in on a power play. Dominick Uher raced down the left-wing and fired a slap-shot on goal. The puck squeezed through Drew Owsley and the score was tied.

Again, the Cougars countered quickly. This time it was a combination of Dan Gibb and Linden Springer who supplied the offense. Dan Gibb found himself behind the Spokane goal eluding the checks of the defense. Gibb wrapped the puck around the net and threw I out front where Linden Springer was waiting to knock it home for his first ever Western Hockey League goal.

Drew Owsley stood his ground from then on out and finished with 26 saves on 30 shots faced. The Cougars finished zero-for-four on the power play while Spokane went one-for-four on their opportunities. The Cougars were outshot 30-17.

Next up for the Cougars, a meeting with the Kamloops Blazers in Kamloops on Friday, December 2nd.