Cougars Top the Rebels 3-1.

Wednesday night in Prince George, the Cougars defeated the Red Deer Rebels 3-1. Cody Carlson broke a 1-1 tie mid-way through the third period and Drew Owsley made 38 saves to help the Cougars earn their 18th victory of the season. The victory helps push the Cougars within two points of Victoria for eighth place in the Western Conference standings.

The Cougars drew first blood at 4:38 of the first period on a power play. Deven Dubyk stopped Jesse Forsberg’s initial point shot, but Spencer Asuchak found the puck in front, and beat Dubyk for his 15th of the season, and the Cougars had the 1-0 lead.

Red Deer tied it at 12:32 when Cody Millette beat Drew Owsley on a backhand deke. The Rebels kept charging, but Drew Owsley was sharp stopping 16 of 17 shots faced in the first period.

It was more of the same in the second period. The Red Deer Rebels outshot Prince George 14-6, but Drew Owsley was rock-solid making several big-time saves. His biggest save came off of Tyson Ness after Owsley’s attempted clear came right out in front, and Owsley dove to get back before Ness could bury the puck. Red Deer had two power play opportunities but did not convert.

Mid-way through the third period the Cougars broke the game open when Cody Carlson converted off a Ricard Blidstrand pass. Carlson’s eighth of the season gave the Cougars the lead that they would not relinquish.

In the final minute of the third, Troy Bourke stole the puck from Mathew Dumba and buried his 10th into the empty net to give the Cougars the victory. Drew Owsley had 38 saves on 39 shots faced, and the Cougars were victorious.

Red Deer finished zero-for-two on the man advantage while the Cougars were one-for-two on their opportunities.

Prince George’s win coupled with Victoria’s loss to Calgary puts the Cougars within two points of the eight placed Victoria Royals with two games still in hand. The Cougars and Royals will meet this weekend for two games in Victoria starting on Friday at the Save On Foods Memorial Centre.