If the Prince George Cougars believe in momentum, they should take it and run with it.
For the second straight night, the Cats upset the BC Division-leading Kamloops Blazers, this time by a 5-3 score at CN Centre.
Taylor Gauthier stood on his head for PG stopping 48 Blazer shots, once again claiming first star honours.
After the game, Cougars Head Coach and General Manager Mark Lamb spoke with MyPGNow about the back-to-back wins and the solid goaltending.
“We had the goaltending both games, which was really huge for us. Opportunistic scoring and solid goaltending got us the two wins.”
.@PGCougars Head Coach and GM Mark Lamb talks home sweep of @blazerhockey with @mypgnow after Saturday’s 5-3 win #CityofPG #sports #NorthernUprising pic.twitter.com/dZ4QMcA0RY
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) November 24, 2019
It seemed on both nights whenever Kamloops got back on even terms with the Cougars, the home side came right right back and scored.
On one occasion, Blazers forward Zane Franklin scored his 16th goal to tie the game at 12:57 of the first period only to see Josh Maser reply 17 seconds later and put the Cougars back out in front 2-1.
The same thing happened in the third where Connor Zary pulled Kamloops even at 3-3 during the 6:52 mark, only to see Mitch Kohner pot the game-winner a minute later.
“We got some outnumbered rushes and when that happens you have to shoot the puck, the shots on goal don’t mean a lot to me, it’s the scoring chances that are more crucial. Kamloops had a lot of good chances but Gauthier was there every time,” added Lamb.
Speaking of the shots on goal, Kamloops held 94-39 advantage in that department only to lose both games and see Dylan Garand and Rayce Ramsay look suspect in net.
The pair of losses sting for the (15-9) Blazers who still lead the BC Division by two points over the Kelowna Rockets.
“There’s not much to say, it was a pretty disappointing weekend, we just have to re-group, have a good week of practice and get ready for our next game,” said Quinn Schmiemann, Blazers defenceman.
“Hockey is a game of mistakes and everybody makes them, but it’s unfortunate that they responded with a couple goals after we tied it up.”
.@SchmiemannQ of @blazerhockey chats with @mypgnow after 5-3 loss to @PGCougars in @TheWHL action on Saturday from @CNCentre #CityofPG #sports #BlazerNation pic.twitter.com/NDV7TMZtxp
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) November 24, 2019
Schmiemann assisted on Ryley Appelt’s goal in the second period where his point shot reached the hulking forward who out waited Gauthier at the top of the blue paint.
Tyson Upper scored his fourth goal of the season at 2:18 of the first period cashing in on a passing play that included line mates Kohner and Craig Armstrong.
“With them up in the standings we needed to get some points, we have been playing real well so getting the four points is huge for us,” said Upper.
In three games this season, the Cougars have proven to be a formidable opponent for the Blazers taking away two victories while out scoring them 9-7 in the process.
In those games, Gauthier has 132 saves on 139 Blazer shots.
“We’re a big, strong team so when we get our game going and take away their skill and top line, which is one of the best in the league we’re fine and we dominate,” added Upper.
Tyson Upper of the @PGCougars chats with @mypgnow after 5-3 win over @blazerhockey at @CNCentre on Saturday #CityofPG #sports #NorthernUprising pic.twitter.com/u8htb47h4B
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) November 24, 2019
Ethan Browne and Vladislav Mikhalchuk also scored for the Cougars.
Former PG Cougar Max Martin recorded a pair of assists for Kamloops.
Three years ago, he was a part of the blockbuster trade that sent him to the Prince Albert Raiders in exchange for Brendan Guhle.
While Guhle experienced a BC Division title with the Cats, Martin ultimately got the upper-hand in the trade leading the Raiders to their first WHL title since 1984, appearing in the 2019 Memorial Cup.
Martin was then dealt to the Blazers in the fall where he has recorded 21 points in 23 games since arriving.
“I’ve been put in a really good position surrounded with good players here and a great coaching staff to go along with it. I’m really happy to be here so I can play out my junior hockey career.”
However, he admits it never feels good to fall short against one of your old teams.
“I thought we played solid enough to win both nights. I thought Gauthier played well but we have to take something away from this weekend and bear down.”
“It was just another weekend for me, it’s been so long since I played here, it’s nice to talk to my billets but other than that it’s just another weekend.”
.@blazerhockey defenceman and former @PGCougars @mmartin10 speaks with @mypgnow post game after 5-3 loss on Saturday at @CNCentre in @TheWHL action #CityofPG #sports #BlazerNation #NorthernUprising pic.twitter.com/utLO8viRyI
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) November 24, 2019
Kamloops went 2-for-2 on the power-play while the Cougars didn’t score on either of their two chances.
The Cougars improve to 6-16-0-2, nine points back of the Victoria Royals for the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
The WHL standings are right here.
Next up for PG is road game Saturday against the Memorial Cup host Kelowna Rockets from Prospera Place.
Puck drop is 7:00 pm and you can hear all the action on 94.3 The Goat with Fraser Rodgers.
REG 5 BDN 4
CGY 4 MJ 1
PA 2 MH 4
LET 11 RD 2
KAM 3 PG 5
EDM 4 VAN 5 (OT)
WPG 3 SPO 5
KEL 2 TC 1
EVT 3 POR 4
SAS 2 SEA 3— The WHL (@TheWHL) November 24, 2019