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Thomas scores double overtime winner to propel Cougars to BCMML finals

A Williams Lake connection provided the heroics Sunday as the Cariboo Cougars punched a ticket to the BC Major Midget League final.
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Trey Thomas.

A Williams Lake connection provided the heroics Sunday as the Cariboo Cougars punched a ticket to the BC Major Midget League final with a thrilling double overtime 2-1 win over the Vancouver Northwest Giants in game three of their semifinal series at a packed Kin 1 in Prince George.

Trey Thomas, who was setup by fellow Williams Lake Minor Hockey Association product Daine Dubois, notched the series clincher at 6:33 of the second overtime, taking in a feed from Mason Richey and beating Giants goaltender Beck Warm with a quick wrister. Richey was first in on the forecheck and generated a turnover, before finding Thomas wide open in front of the net. Dubois had the second assist on the goal.

The Cougars will play in the league final next weekend against the Valley West Hawks.

Devin Sutton also scored for the Cougars, Carter Stephenson tallied for the Giants.

Dorrin Luding made 33 saves for the Cougars, including 10 in the extra sessions, while Warm blocked 34 shots for the Giants.

Sutton got the Cougars on the board just under three minutes into the second, finding a rebound in front and beating Warm with a quick shot. Darian Long got the lone assist, getting the play started with an offensive zone face-off win and a quick shot on net.

The Cougars held the lead until late in the third period when Stephenson tied the game with a shot just under the crossbar. The Giants captain had his first shot blocked, but the puck came right back to him and suddenly he had space to walk in and fire one over Luding’s shoulder. Will Warm got the lone assist at 14:57.

Tyler Maser had the best chance in a scoreless opening period. His shot from right in front of the net went off the inside of the post, but just stayed out.

It was Josh Maser’s turn to ring one off the iron early in the second as he ripped a shot from just inside the blue-line, but clanged it off the iron.

Josh Maser found the crossbar again in the first overtime period, narrowly missing on the best chance in the 10-minute session.

The Giants took the series opener 3-2 on Friday night. The Cougars responded with a 3-1 win Saturday to force Sunday’s Game 3.

Game one of the BCMML final goes March 18 at the Langley Events Centre, game two is March 19 at the South Surrey Arena and game three, if necessary, takes place the following day on March 20 at the South Surrey Arena.

For full updates and results visit playfullscreen.com.