Cougars Overcome Penalties to Defeat Giants 5-2 in WHL Showdown

In a spirited encounter at CN Centre on January 28, 2023, the Prince George Cougars defeated the Vancouver Giants 5-2, despite a challenging performance from their forward, Dawson Seitz. Seitz, who had scored twice to put his team ahead, faced four minutes in the penalty box, adding tension to an otherwise commanding display by the Cougars.

Seitz’s strong performance began early in the game. He scored his first goal just one minute in, capitalizing on a turnover in the neutral zone. After receiving a pass from Corbin Vaughan, Seitz executed a swift move around Will Sharpe and found the top corner of the net, thrilling the home crowd. He doubled his tally later in the first period, pushing the Cougars to a 2-0 lead.

The Cougars dominated the first period, outshooting the Giants 22-5, yet they managed only two goals against Giants’ goalie Burke Hood. Kooper Gizowski ended the Cougars’ power play scoring drought in the second period, making it 3-1. However, the Giants responded with a goal from Jakob Oreskovic, followed by a late goal from Misha Volotovskii, keeping the match competitive.

Seitz’s penalty for tripping with less than two minutes remaining in the game put him in a precarious position, watching from the penalty box as the Giants attempted a 6-on-4 advantage. Fortunately for the Cougars, Terik Parascak intercepted the puck and assisted Brock Souch in scoring an empty-net goal, sealing the victory. This marked the Cougars’ sixth shorthanded goal of the season.

Following the game, Cougars head coach and general manager Mark Lamb acknowledged the team’s effort while emphasizing the importance of discipline. “You’ve got to play 60 minutes. There were parts of our game that I didn’t like, especially when you’re trying to close out the game,” he stated. “Taking penalties down the stretch is something you don’t do if you want to be a winning hockey team.”

Seitz, reflecting on his performance, noted the importance of mental discipline. “We had a really good start and got it going right off the bat, but I took a couple of stupid penalties,” he said. “I’ll know for next time.” The 20-year-old forward, who joined the Cougars from the Wenatchee Wild on January 8, 2023, has quickly made an impact, adding depth and skill to the roster.

This season, Seitz has registered six goals and eight assists in 28 games, showcasing his ability to contribute offensively while also playing a physical game alongside teammates Aiden Foster and Jett Lajoie. His addition has been vital for the Cougars, who have now won five consecutive games after a difficult stretch.

The Cougars’ upcoming schedule includes a challenging road trip with games against the Kelowna Rockets and Kamloops Blazers. As they prepare for these matches, the team aims to build on their recent success and continue improving in their pursuit of a playoff spot.

In a lighter moment during the game, the D.P. Todd Jazz Band entertained fans during the second intermission, performing a lively rendition of “Enter Sandman” by Metallica. This added an engaging atmosphere for the crowd of 4,233, creating a memorable experience beyond the action on the ice.

As the Cougars look forward, Seitz remains optimistic about the team’s potential. “We’ve got the tools, and we just have to make sure we play our game and we should be good,” he concluded. The Cougars continue to develop their chemistry and resilience as they head toward the final stretch of the WHL season.