It’s not the start the Cats wanted.
The Prince George Cougars are starting their 2024-2025 season with a 4-3 overtime loss to the Spokane Chiefs.
Owen Schoettler broke the hearts of the 4,590 fans at the CN Centre, firing a rebound into a yawning cage in the final frame.
PRESTON WITH THE WHEELS, SCHOETTLER WITH THE FINISH!!! CHIEFS WIN 4-3!#GoChiefsGo pic.twitter.com/Qhe9JGlUh9
— Spokane Chiefs (@spokanechiefs) September 21, 2024
It wasn’t a pretty game by any means for the Cougars, many Prince George passes were missed or led to turnovers.
PY-OH-MY!!! Dane Pyatt ties this thing up 2-2 with his first @TheWHL goal at 9:52!#GoChiefsGo pic.twitter.com/yMw0LDSCAl
— Spokane Chiefs (@spokanechiefs) September 21, 2024
 Six players made their WHL debuts for the Cougars last night, as they were missing several key players at NHL camps.
“It was a competitive game, you seen a lot of the ‘youngness’ in the game, probably on both sides,” said Cougars Head Coach and GM Mark Lamb on last night’s post game show on 94.3 the Goat.
“Some uncharacteristic mistakes that we’re used to seeing, but that’s just part of it right now.”
However, Lamb said it was an opportunity to see more from the younger players.
“You’re looking at the young guys and really seeing where they can fit when everybody gets back,” Lamb said.
“I thought [Patrick] Sopiarz and [Kayden] Lemire played very well tonight, and just chipped away at their game.”
Jett Lajoie was one of the best skaters, if not the best skater on the ice for Prince George.
He scored the Cougars’ second goal, added an assist on the third, was physical, and blocked shots.
Jett gets the crowd jumping!@CarlsJr https://t.co/r5ct0rkmlf pic.twitter.com/4j42uug2Ao
— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) September 21, 2024
“He’s a gamer, and he’s a real good player with a lot of skill,” Lamb said.
“If you wanted to really break it right down, he’s probably been our best player, right from day one in training camp, right through the preseason and he just kept it going tonight.”
The Cougars found themselves shorthanded five times, but the Jim Playfair penalty kill wouldn’t break.
Matteo Danis was the first Cougar on the scoresheet this season, potting a rebound while chaos ensued in front of the net.
2024-25 is officially underway 😎 https://t.co/C7FCLjmFXE pic.twitter.com/QnWn2QbFaS
— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) September 21, 2024
Ehpram McNutt also found the back of the net for the Cats, walking down the half wall and sneaking a sharp angle shot past Cooper Michaluk.
2024-25 is officially underway 😎 https://t.co/C7FCLjmFXE pic.twitter.com/QnWn2QbFaS
— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) September 21, 2024
The Cougars and Chiefs go at it again tonight at the CN Centre.
Puck drop is at 6:00.
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