Rebels 5 - Cougars 1

The Prince George Cougars wrapped up their Alberta road-swing with a 5-1 loss to the Red Deer Rebels. Turner Elson had two goals and two assists for Red Deer while Cody Carlson had the lone tally for Prince George.

For a third straight game, the Cougars had a strong first period but were not properly rewarded. They outshot the Rebels 12-8 but it was Red Deer who clicked first while short-handed.

Matthew Dumba stole the puck at the blueline and raced in two-on-zero with Turner Elson. Elson and Dumba connected on the give-and-go and Dumba buried the puck past Devon Fordyce to give Red Deer the 1-0 lead.

Late in the second period, Red Deer added to their lead on a power play. Matt Dumba raced the puck up ice and then fed Elson in the slot area. Elson flipped a puck past Devon Fordyce to give the Rebels a 2-0 lead. The goal came after an iffy charging call assessed to Cougars defenceman Dan Gibb.

Early in the third, Red Deer struck again on the power play. This time it was Adam Kambeitz who received a pass in front of Devon Fordyce, and lifted a backhand under the blocker for a 3-0 Red Deer cushion.

Cody Carlson moved the Cougars within two when a long shot from the right point found it’s way through Deven Dubyk. For Carlson it was his seventh of the season and his 30th point altogether in 2011-2012.

The Rebels would add two more at the mid-way point of the hockey game (Chad Robinson and Turner Elson) and the Rebels held on for their 20th victory of the season.

Dean Clark's team was without the services of Greg Fraser and John Odgers due to injury, and also did not have Campbell Elynuik because of suspension. They became even more short-handed when both Alex Forsberg and Reid Jackson left the game with injuries.

The Cougars finished the game zero-for-four on the power play while Red Deer went two-for-two. The final shots on goal had Red Deer with 35 and Prince George with 33.

The Cougars now return home still just three points behind Victoria for the final playoff spot in the West. Next up: The Everett Silvertips on Friday and Saturday from CN Centre.