Cougars Foster finds the net in comeback win over Brandon

A big adjustment to the top line paid immediate dividends.

Aiden Foster’s tip-in goal at 5:44 of the third period helped engineer a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory for the Prince George Cougars over the Brandon Wheat Kings in front of a boisterous crowd of 4,950 at CN Centre.

Foster, a 17-year-old draft eligible prospect was promoted to the top line playing alongside Riley Heidt and Terik Parascak.

“It felt awesome to get bumped up with two really good players. I had the easiest job as Heidter made a good pass to Parascak and then all I had to do was put my stick on the ice and it ended up going in,” said Foster post-game to MyPGNow.com.

Tips are always welcomed in the CN Centre.@CarlsJrCA https://t.co/SOBbRMyh45 pic.twitter.com/ryQgXx9fxH

— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) January 25, 2025

The victory also snapped a four-game losing streak and inches the Cougars to within two points of the Victoria Royals for top spot in the BC Division. The Royals dropped a 4-1 road decision to the Seattle Thunderbirds.

Down by one heading into the third, PG’s offense came alive courtesy of Ben Riche who’s slap shot blew past signed Philadelphia Flyers goalie prospect Carson Bjarnason to tie the game.

A slick pass by Brady Turko found the tape of Carter Klippenstein who fired a shot past an off-balanced Josh Ravensbergen making it 2-1 Brandon.

The goal was initially waived off by referee Colby Georgeson as the net came off its moorings as Cats defender Aleksey Chichkin bowled a streaking Wheat Kings player into the goal.

It was determined by the video goal judge the puck had made its way in prior to the net coming off.

After Foster evened the score roughly 90 seconds later, Koehn Ziemmer capped off the comeback outwaiting Bjarnason in front of the Brandon net to give the Cougars their first lead of the game.

“Just gonna sneak past ya there…” Koehn Ziemmer probably.@CarlsJrCA @LAKings https://t.co/i1XUvXvXru pic.twitter.com/S85IUm3yNI

— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) January 25, 2025

Cougars head coach and general manager put a lot of faith in his young players during Friday’s game, elevating Foster to a more prominent role while rookie blueliner Leith Hunter was out during the dying seconds with veteran Bauer Dumanski to protect the one goal advantage.

Speaking first on Foster, Lamb told the media post-game, the Lloydminster, Alberta native’s recent rise has been noteworthy and it was time to reward him.

“He has played well for the last few weeks, the last month and he’s earned going up there. He goes up there he takes the body, he makes plays, he takes the body, he looked good out there.”

“You don’t want a guy to go up their and start skilling and doing stuff, but he is up there for a reason. He goes in on the forecheck and he creates some room for those guys,” added Lamb.

Foster concurs with his coach that his big frame can make all the difference in the offensive zone, creating more space for Heidt and Parascak.

“I am out there trying to do my role and they are two unreal players. They get you puck and you just have to find ice and once they get you the puck, it makes it easy on me.”

Foster earned his keep last season as a gritty 16-year-old playing on the fourth line amassing seven points in 66 games and 124 penalty minutes.

This year, Foster is on pace to exceed his penalty minute total sitting at 103 after 43 contests but more of his all-around game is slowly coming to the surface.

“The speed and how quickly plays happen is probably the biggest thing I have needed to adjust to and how you have to react that much quicker,” added Foster.

As for Hunter, the 17-year-old blueliner’s confidence has been rising as the season has drawn along and it’s his willingness to make the simple plays that has caught the eye of the coaching staff.

“He makes the smart plays, you trust him and makes the plays that he sees and probably the plays that he shouldn’t. He has really come along.”

“We like his stick. He is a big, rangy guy, and you can see it in practice his stick is unbelievable and it’s hard for the opposing guys to get around and then he has some offensive instincts. He has a good first pass and plays his position,” said Lamb.

The first 33 minutes of the contest resembled a fast-paced track meet with solid goaltending at both ends. Jaxon Jacobson opened the scoring as his blast went over the shoulder of Ravensbergen to give the Wheat Kings a 1-0 edge.

Brandon (22-15-3-2) outshot the Cougars (25-14-3-2) 31-24. PG went 2-for-6 on the power-play while the Wheaties were 1-for-3.

1-0 with 2nd string social media admin. 🙂#ForTheNorth . #WHL pic.twitter.com/ymULc5NjbY

— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) January 25, 2025

The Cougars wore Indigenous-themed jerseys for the first of two nights in what is another action-packed weekend at the CN Centre.

PG is back in action tonight (Saturday) against the Kamloops Blazers (16-24-3-0) at 6pm.

Kamloops pulled off a 4-3 overtime victory against the Kelowna Rockets to move within three points for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, held by the Wenatchee Wild who upset the Everett Silvertips in extra-time by a 3-2 margin.