The claws are out.
With a 5-3 win in Game 6 of their first-round series, the Prince George Cougars have eliminated the Spokane Chiefs from the 2026 WHL Playoffs.
The pivotal match saw the teams battle for every inch of the ice, with Winnipeg Jets prospect Owen Martin getting the visitors on the board first off a crisp passing play.
NHL Draft-eligible Dmitri Yakutsenak scored the first of his two goals on the night to send the teams to the dressing room tied at one.
Twenty-year-old Kooper Gizowski came in clutch again with a powerplay one-timer to give the Cats their first lead of the night, though Martin would add his team-leading fifth goal of the series to keep things tied at 2-2.
Rookie Riley Ashe came in clutch as he barrelled down the ice on a two-on-one with Koy Funk and ripped a wrister for his first WHL playoff goal.
Yakutsenak clinched the series-winner with his second goal of the night, while Washington Capitals prospect Terik Parascak added some insurance with an empty-netter.
San Jose Sharks 2025 first-round pick Joshua Ravensbergen made 21 stops in the win.
The physical series has seen the Cats capitalize on the man-advantage in every game, while winning every game at the CN Centre.
Prince George saw star defenceman Carson Carels exit Game 1 with an injury in the first period, and quickly fell behind 3-1.
But a three-goal third period saw the home side storm back for a decisive 6-3 win in Game 1.
The following night, sans Carels and sniper Dmitri Yakutsenak, Souch, Lee Shurgot and Gizowski gave Prince George a 3-0 lead, and San Jose Sharks first-round pick Joshua Ravensbergen held down the fort with 43 saves in a 3-2 win.
In Spokane, the teams traded opportunities to set up an overtime showdown in Game 3, where Arsenii Anisimov struck on the powerplay just over a minute into the fourth frame.
Game 4 saw the teams tied with a goal apiece in the second period, but Spokane lit the lamp twice in less than a minute to secure a 3-2 win and force Game 5.
The Chiefs continued their furious push with 2026 NHL Draft-eligible forward Chase Harrington scoring a late equalizer and the overtime winner to send the series north for Game 6.
Former Chief Gizowski was among Prince George’s top scorers in Round One with eight points (3G-5A), while first-year WHLer Brock Souch led the pack with 11 points (5G-6A).
With his 15th postseason victory, star goaltender Ravensbergen is also one win away from tying Scott Myers for the club record for playoff wins.
Prince George has advanced to the second round for the first time since 2024, when they reached the Western Conference Championship (and also swept Spokane in the opening round).
The Cougars went 44-22-2-0 in the regular season, with Carels and Ravensbergen cracking the 2025-26 WHL Western Conference First All-Star Team.
Prince George will face the B.C. Division Champion Penticton Vees in Round Two.
