SPOKANE - Linden Springer scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period and the Prince George Cougars went on to beat the Spokane Chiefs 5-4 in a Western Hockey League game Saturday night in front of 6,376 at the Spokane Arena.

Prince George entered the game last in the B.C. Division with a 7-17-0-2 record.

Marek Kalus and Anthony Bardero scored goals in the first period for Spokane, but a goal by Greg Fraser at the nine-minute mark evened the score at 2-2.

Prince George took a 3-2 lead 19 seconds into the second period on a goal by Troy Bourke, but Blake Gal answered on a shorthanded goal to tie the game again. Campbell Elynuik scored an unassisted goal to give Prince George a 4-3 lead after two.

Dominik Uher tied the game at 4-4 on a power play goal 10 seconds into the third period, but were done in on Springer's first goal of the season, marking the team's third loss in 14 games at home.

Brenden Kichton had three assists for Spokane, which outshot Prince George 30-17.

Spokane (11-7-0-2) travels to Edmonton on Tuesday to begin a six-game road trip.