Riley Heidt is at the top of the PG Cougars record books.
In his 200th WHL game, Heidt scored one goal and added two assists as the Cougars fell 5-4 in the shootout to the Wenatchee Wild.
Heidt’s first assist was his 168th as a Prince George Cougar, putting him ahead of Jansen Harkins as the Cougars all-time assist leader.
His goal tied Harkins all-time Points record of 242, while his second assist put him ahead of Harkins.
Broke the all-time franchise assist record, now he’s tied the ALL TIME FRANCHISE POINTS RECORD. Riley Heidt will not stop 😵😵#mnwild @mnwild https://t.co/3swJtHmEIy pic.twitter.com/zAgDxtX03L
— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) January 29, 2024
RILEY HEIDT IS THE FRANCHISE’S ALL TIME LEADING POINT SCORER WITH A LAST MINUTE ASSIST!!!!! 243 CAREER POINTS FOR 27!!!! https://t.co/BR70EjvTsl pic.twitter.com/k8i7a3Mbkb
— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) January 29, 2024
The records came in front of 3,002 fans at the Town Toyota Center in Wenatchee.
“The things that people probably don’t understand from the outside is that Heidter’s had every tough matchup, every single game, since he’s been 15,” said Assistant Coach Carter Rigby on the post-game show on 94.3 The Goat.
“When you really digest it and dig into the work that he’s done over his junior career so far, it’s very impressive.”
It was the Cougars’ third game in three days.
The Wild jumped out to a three-goal lead, Courtesy of Briley Wood and Miles Cooper.
Matteo Danis got the Cougars on the board, redirecting a Hunter Laing shot with his face.
Matteo really laid it all on the line for this one 🫡😬 https://t.co/QFNVFCNPLI pic.twitter.com/yLjTgnXJtx
— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) January 29, 2024
Carlin Dezainde scored just 16 seconds later.
Heidt tied the game early in the third, but Wood gave the Wild the lead back less than a minute later.
Dezainde scored with 71 seconds to go to force overtime.
The Cougars went 0-for-5 on the powerplay, including a 4-on-3 in the final 34 seconds of overtime.
“We’re going through a funk with it,” Rigby said.
“The biggest thing we try to stress is we’re still getting looks and they’re going to come, nothing worse than almost randomly switching up completely and trying stuff that are out of the comfort zone, you got to stick with the plan and stay with it and fight through it.”
Evan Friesen eventually put the winner past Ty Young in the fifth round of the shootout.
Drive. Home. Safely.#RestoreTheRoarWHLstyle pic.twitter.com/2KuQNVY3AH
— Wenatchee Wild (@WHLwild_) January 29, 2024
The full box score can be found here.
The (31-14-0-2) Cougars are 2nd in the Western Conference, a point behind the (31-11-2-1) Portland Winterhawks and a point ahead of the (30-15-1-2) Everett Silvertips.
P.G. will continue a 5-game road trip Tuesday against the (16-24-2) Seattle Thunderbirds.