Vees Claim First Place in WHL with 5-2 Victory Over Cougars

The Penticton Vees surged to the top of the Western Hockey League’s BC Division with a decisive 5-2 victory over the Prince George Cougars on March 12, 2024. Scoring three goals in the third period, the Vees moved one point ahead of the Cougars, marking a significant milestone for the expansion team this season.

Fort St. James native Diego Johnson netted the game-winning goal just 1:59 into the final period. His shot from the left wing deflected off Cougars defenceman Cooper Bratton and into the net, putting the Vees up 3-2. Louis Wehmann sealed the victory with a goal less than five minutes later, showcasing the Vees’ offensive prowess.

The match took place at the CN Centre in front of a crowd of 2,840, where Johnson, who has fond memories of playing in the arena, expressed his excitement about the win. “It’s definitely special, growing up watching the Cougars,” Johnson stated. “I had a lot of friends and family show up; it was super-special for me.” This goal marked Johnson’s twelfth of the season and was particularly meaningful as he had watched the Cougars play as a fan before joining their ranks.

The Vees have now won three consecutive games against the Cougars, with an impressive record of 8-1-1-0 over their last ten games. Johnson highlighted the camaraderie among the team, stating, “We have a great group of guys here. I’ve played on a lot of junior teams, and this one’s got something special.”

Jacob Kwasnicka added an insurance goal late in the game, scoring from 190 feet away to secure the win. The Vees’ president, general manager, and head coach Fred Harbinson emphasized the importance of the victory, noting that the team has been playing well despite the challenges of travel and competition. “Our recipe all season long has been to be structured and play hard,” Harbinson said.

The Cougars, who have struggled recently, entered the game following a disappointing 4-2 loss to Calgary. The return of defenceman Carson Carels, fresh from Canada’s bronze-medal run at the IIHF World Junior Championship, aimed to reinvigorate the team. Despite facing travel issues that left him without his equipment, Carels adapted quickly, scoring a goal and contributing significantly to his team’s efforts.

“It’s obviously a hard one,” Carels remarked about the loss. “We just need to play harder, and I think we’re right with them.” The Cougars have now lost seven of their last eight games, dropping their record to 23-13-2-0.

The game started positively for the Cougars with an early goal from Kooper Gizowski, who found the net just three minutes into the match. However, the Vees responded with a goal from Booker Toninato, marking his place in the record books as the first Vee to score a WHL goal at CN Centre.

In the second period, the Vees took control, outshooting the Cougars 22-8 and finding the back of the net again through Kwasnicka. The Cougars managed to tie the game 2-2 with Carels’ power-play goal, but the Vees’ resilience shone through in the final period.

The matchup showcased the competitive nature of both teams, with intense moments and hard-hitting plays. As the teams prepare to meet again on March 13, the Vees will look to maintain their winning streak, while the Cougars aim to break out of their slump. With the playoff race heating up, both teams understand the significance of every game in the stretch run of the season.