The Prince George Cougars defeated the Seattle Thunderbirds 3-1 Wednesday night at the CN Centre in Prince George, British Columbia.
The T-Birds are in ninth place in the Western Conference playoff standings, two points behind the Victoria Royals and three points behind the Everett Silvertips.
The Silvertips beat the Royals 3-2 Wednesday night in Everett. Prince George is in 10th place in the playoff standings, two points behind the T-Birds.
The T-Birds have six games remaining this season and control their own playoff destiny. They still have two games remaining against the Silvertips – on Sunday and Saturday, March 17. Both games are at the ShoWare Center.
Prince George (21-44-0-2) opened the scoring at 3:41 of the first period when Jarrett Fontaine scored. Reid Jackson had the only assist on the goal.
The T-Birds outshot the Cougars 11-9 in the first period.
Seattle (22-42-1-1) tied the game 1-1 at 1:22 of the second period. Chance Lund put a backhand on goal as he skated through the slot from left to right. Prince George goalie Drew Owsley kicked the puck to his right but directly to Luke Lockhart on top of the goal crease. Lockhart slammed the puck past Owsley for his 14th goal of the year.
The Cougars went in front 2-1 at 5:13 of the second when Jesse Forsberg scored a power-play goal. Troy Bourke and Alex Forsberg had the assists.
Seattle led 22-18 in total shots after two periods.
Alex Forsberg scored a power-play empty-net goal at 19:59 of the third to seal the win for the Cougars. The goal was unassisted.
Seattle outshot Prince George 32-24 in the game.
Seattle goalie Calvin Pickard made 21 saves on 23 shots and his record is now 22-34-1-1.
Owsley stopped 31 of 32 shots and his record is now 20-36-0-1.
The T-Birds next game is Saturday against the Portland Winterhawks at 7:05 p.m. at ShoWare Center. The T-Birds will face the Everett Silvertips on Sunday at 5:05 p.m. at ShoWare Center.
The ShoWare Center Box Office is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday game days at 10 a.m. and Sunday game days at noon.
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SCORING SUMMARY
First period – 1, Prince George, Fontaine 4 (Jackson), 3:41. Penalties – Mykitiuk, PG (double minor high-sticking), 10:32. Asuchak, PG (goaltender interference), 19:20.
Second period – 2, Seattle, Lockhart 14 (Lund), 1:22. 3, Prince George, J. Forsberg 3 (Bourke, A. Forsberg), 5:13 (pp). Penalties – Lund, Sea (boarding), 2:19. Rouse, Sea (high-sticking), 3:17. Rouse, Sea (interference), 6:39.Deagle, Sea (roughing), 10:18. Bourke, PG (tripping), 14:54.
Third period – 4, Prince George, A. Forsberg 13, 19:59 (en). Penalties – Elynuik, PG (tripping), 3:02. Wardley, Sea (tripping), 18:19. Theodore, Sea (delay of game), 18:44.
Shots on goal – Seattle 11-11-10 32. Prince George 9-9-6 24. Goalies – Seattle, Pickard 23 shots-21 saves (22-34-1-1); Prince George, Owsley 32-31 (20-36-0-1). Power plays – Seattle 0-6; Prince George 2-6. A – 1,651. Referee – Trent Knorr, Derek Zalaski. Linesmen – Ron Dietterle, Ryan Gibbons.
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