VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Despite giving up two goals in the last three minutes of the third period, the Vancouver Giants edged the Prince George Cougars in a shootout 4-3. Carter Popoff nabbed the game winner in the seventh round.

The Cougars led the game 36 seconds in, on a goal by Alex Forsberg.

The Giants responded before the end of the opening period with the first WHL career goal by Taylor Vickerman and a late power play goal by Trevor Cheek. It was Cheek’s seventh of the season.

The only goal of the second period came near the four-minute mark by Riley Kieser of the G-Men.

Vancouver held the two-goal lead until there were three minutes left in the third period, when the Cougars potted a pair to tie the game in a 28-second span by Brett Roulston and Jari Erricson.

After the teams scored in the second and third rounds of the shootout, Popoff was the hero, sending most of the 5, 526 fans home happy.

Giants captain Wes Vannieuwenhuizen chipped in with two assists.

Prince George outshot Vancouver 40-26, as Payton Lee made 37 saves in goal for Don Hay’s crew.

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