BY COLE WALDIE
Prince George Cougars
For the fourth consecutive season, the Prince George Cougars are headed back to the WHL Playoffs after a commanding 5-2 victory over the Kelowna Rockets on Wednesday night at the CN Centre. Matteo Danis led the charge with a stellar hat-trick performance, propelling the Cougars to the postseason.
The Cougars set the tone early, but goaltender Josh Ravensbergen made a statement just 37 seconds into the game with a highlight-reel glove save. Prince George struck first at 4:34 when Viliam Kmec’s point shot deflected off a Kelowna stick, lofted into the air, and found its way into the net. Initially waved off for a high stick, the goal was confirmed after review. The Rockets responded at 13:17, evening the score at 1-1 to close the first period.
In the second, the Cougars capitalized on key opportunities. Borya Valis powered his way past a Rockets defender and slipped the puck through the five-hole of Kelowna netminder Jake Pilon at the five-minute mark. Just 1:37 later, Matteo Danis extended the lead to 3-1 with a wrap-around goal. Ravensbergen stood tall in net, making critical saves to preserve the two-goal advantage heading into the final frame.
Danis struck again early in the third, banking a shot off a Rockets skate and past Pilon at 2:39 to push the lead to 4-1. Kelowna answered at 6:37, as Jacob Henderson notched his first WHL goal to bring the Rockets within two. However, the Cougars sealed the victory when Danis completed his hat-trick with an empty-net goal at 17:26, securing a 5-2 final and free Domino’s Pizza for fans in attendance for the second straight night.
With the win, Prince George punches its ticket to the WHL Playoffs, continuing a strong campaign as they look to make a deep postseason run.