BY COLE WALDIE
Prince George Cougars
KENNEWICK, WA – In a thrilling matchup at the Toyota Center, the Prince George Cougars reclaimed their winning form with a hard-fought 3-2 triumph over the Tri-City Americans on Saturday. The game showcased stellar performances from goaltender Joshua Ravensbergen and goal scorers Zac Funk, Carlin Dezainde, and Borya Valis.
The scoring action kicked off with a power-play goal from the Cougars’ Zac Funk, who capitalized on a precise feed from Riley Heidt, finding the back of the net at 8:35 to establish a 1-0 lead. Tri-City responded with Deagan McMillan, equalizing the game at 11:26, leaving the first period deadlocked at one.
Carlin Dezainde wasted no time in the second period, delivering a backhand shot just 50 seconds in to regain the lead for the Cats at 2-1. At 8:18, Riley Heidt and Zac Funk combined forces to set up Borya Valis, extending the lead to 3-1 with Valis’s 15th goal of the season. Tri-City’s Cash Koch narrowed the gap, scoring his seventh of the season at 16:33 to make it 3-2.
In the third period, Tri-City launched a surge, but Joshua Ravensbergen stood tall in the Cougars’ goal, making nine crucial saves to preserve the lead. A noteworthy moment occurred in the final minutes when Bauer Dumanski showcased his defensive prowess, pinning the puck against the boards for nearly 30 seconds, drawing a penalty and securing a power-play advantage for the Cougars.
With this hard-fought victory, the Prince George Cougars improve their season record to 31-14-0-1. The team now looks ahead to a showdown against the Wenatchee Wild, marking the final encounter in the season series, scheduled for Sunday at 4 p.m.