Heidt’s return sparks Cougars to victory over Kamloops

It wasn’t the prettiest of wins, but the Prince George Cougars found themselves on the winning end of a 5-3 score over the Kamloops Blazers.

Momentum swung back and forth, with neither team really able to take control of the game for an extended period of time.

“I like a lot, parts of our game,” said Cougars Head Coach and GM Mark Lamb

“Some penalties in there, they got some momentum there a little bit, but every time they did that, we straightened ourselves out and we got our game going.”

Cougars Captain Riley Heidt was stellar in his return to the lineup, scoring twice and adding an assist.

First Heidt to Parascak, now Parascak to Heidt. Not the duo you want to see on an odd man rush 😁@mnwild | @Capitals | @CarlsJrCA https://t.co/eSuwKPfREs pic.twitter.com/lrPJirmaGs

— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) November 23, 2024

Heidt had missed the two games against Kelowna following an injury to his jaw, but the Minnesota Wild prospect did not miss a beat, getting into the dirty areas and making several good plays.

“I just enjoy coaching him and sitting back and watching this guy play,” Lamb said.

“He’s amazing and he brings everybody into it, even though he’s got that helmet on and that mask on he stuck his head right in there, puts his nose in there, and he just played the right way.”

Heidt’s assist came on Terik Parascak’s goal that put the Cougars on the board.

UH OH, we may have a goal of the week on our hands 🫣@Capitals | @mnwild | @CarlsJrCA https://t.co/5ZFByJpCqo pic.twitter.com/1ylegkdzqP

— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) November 23, 2024

Arseni Anisimov scored his first goal of his WHL career, which sent 3,945 fans at the CN Centre home with a free pizza.

Arseni Anisimov’s first career goal
(a beauty too)
A few thousand free pizzas

LOTS to like in this clip!@CarlsJrCA https://t.co/UHgpQpdFB8 pic.twitter.com/LwR3sHjans

— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) November 23, 2024

“I love when guys score their first goal, it’s so exciting,” Lamb said.

“He’s done so well since he’s got here, he’s learning the language, he’s learning the language, his work ethic is off the charts.”

Jett Lajoie also scored for the Cougars.

Kai Matthew, Tommy Lafreniere and Jordan Keller scored for the Blazers.

Josh Ravensbergen made 19 saves on 22 Kamloops shots.

The box score is here.

The Cougars (13-5-3-2) are sitting on top of the WHL’s BC Division and are second in the Western Conference.

The WHL standings are here.

The Cougars are back in action Sunday, as they start a three-game road trip against the Vancouver Giants in Langley.

The full Cougars schedule is here.