Prince George is a long way from Broadway, in more ways than one. But there was a possible full dress rehearsal laid on, just the same. These performers were not treading the boards, however, but the ice.
The Prince George Cougars rallied from a 2-0 deficit to defeat the Victoria Royals 4-3 before 2,404 fans at the CN Centre in what could be a preview of a Western Hockey League opening-round playoff series.
“If this is the playoffs [match-up], we have to have an answer [against the torrid Cougars],” said Victoria head coach Dave Lowry.
His club couldn’t find one Friday. Victoria has clinched a playoff berth and is likely to finish second in the B.C. Division and play the third-place team, which right now is the Cougars. Prince George enhanced its third seeding with the victory, which was its fifth consecutive win and seventh in its last eight games.
Both the Cougars (28-33-4) and Royals (34-27-4) have seven games remaining in the regular season. The Cougars, 12 points behind Victoria, retain a remote mathematical possibility of finishing second and gaining home-ice advantage in an opening playoff series against the Royals. But for that to happen, the Cougars must basically win out while the Royals collapse completely down the stretch. Victoria has faded to 4-7 in its last 11 games, but squandering second place seems highly unlikely. The Royals need three points to clinch second spot in the B.C. Division behind the power-laden Kelowna Rockets.
One bright aspect of Victoria’s game Friday was the power play, which went three-for-six and accounted for all the Royals’ goals.
“That should have been the difference maker,” said Lowry.
After the Royals fell behind 4-2 following four consecutive Prince George goals, Greg Chase brought Victoria to within one with a searing shot at 16:03 of the third period. The Royals pressed hard after that.
“If we had played the entire game with the desperation and urgency we displayed in the final five minutes, the [outcome] would have been different,” said Lowry.
Chase and former Cougar Alex Forsberg of the Royals had a goal and assist each, while defenceman Travis Brown had the other Victoria goal. Josh Connolly, Jari Erricson, Brad Morrison and Kody McDonald scored for the Cougars.
Lowry continues his decision-making process regarding the Royals’ starting playoff goalie. Justin Paulic, returning to the crease following two consecutive starts by Coleman Vollrath, made 33 saves. Big Ty Edmonds made 34 for Prince George.
The eight-game season series between the clubs concludes tonight in Prince George.
