The Vancouver Giants lost a close game to the Prince George Cougars on Friday night. The Giants lost 5-4 in Overtime after blowing the lead, then coming back to tie the game.

Your Giants fought hard until the end, but came up short in the OT. We will take a point tonight and regroup tomorrow back at the LEC.

📸: @rjmedia_ca pic.twitter.com/cG6CUVFfoL

— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) February 25, 2023

The Giants opened the scoring almost 7 minutes into the 1st period with a powerplay goal from Skylar Bruce. Langley native, Dylan Anderson, got the secondary assist on this goal. The Cougars would tie the game 7 minutes later with a goal from Chase Wheatcroft. His 35th of the season came on the powerplay as well. Delta native, Ethan Samson of the Cougars got the secondary assist on this goal. 

The game was tied heading into the 2nd period, but the Giants would built a 3-1 lead quickly after a goal from Ty Thope 51 seconds into the period and then a goal from Jaden Lipinski 35 seconds later. Langley native, Dylan Anderson, got another secondary assist on Thope’s goal. Richmond native, Tyler Thope (not the same person as Ty Thope) got the secondary assist on Lipinski’s goal.

Ty Thorpe and Jaden Lipinski strike 35 seconds apart to start the second and it's quickly 3-1 @WHLGiants #CHLonTSN | @TheWHL pic.twitter.com/XQ7NWlHSj1

— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) February 25, 2023

Unfortunately, the fun would be cut short, as the Cougars would fire back with 3 quick goals to have their first lead of the game. The Cougars scored their 3-goals in almost 3 minutes. Vancouver native, Arjun Bawa registered an assist on the first goal the Cougars scored out of the 3. 

The Giants would comeback to tie the game in the 3rd period thanks to a goal from Skylar Bruce 4 minutes into the 3rd period. That would be all the goals to occur in the final period, meaning overtime was necessary for this 4-4 game.

Bruce buries a beauty!

His second of the game for @WHLGiants and we're tied once again.#CHLonTSN | @TheWHL pic.twitter.com/zHzZNvglsT

— Canadian Hockey League (@CHLHockey) February 25, 2023

Ultimately, the Cougars would come out on top with an overtime winner from Chase Wheatcroft again, his 2nd of the night and his 36th of the season. Delta native, Ethan Samson of the Cougars got the secondary assist on this goal once again. 

GOT WHEAT?

Chase Wheatcroft is the WHOA-vertime hero for the @PGCougars on @TSN_Sports! pic.twitter.com/X6rHw3IEhz

— The WHL (@TheWHL) February 25, 2023

It was a hard-fought back and fourth battle between these two teams, which led to an entertaining battle at the Langley Events Centre. The Giants will play again tomorrow for a back-to-back contest. They will face the Everett Silvertips at the Langley Events Centre once again. Tomorrow’s game will be the last of a 5-game homestand at the Langley Events Centre.