On the last Friday of 2019, the Prince George Cougars beat the Silvertips 4-3 in Everett.
On the first Friday of 2020, history repeated itself as again the Cougars pulled off a 4-3 upset victory over the (25-9-2-1) Silvertips but only this time it was before 2,131 fans at CN Centre.
Ryan Schoettler scored the game-winner, on the power-play, midway through the third period to break a 3-3 tie.
Tyson Upper notched a goal (his first since Nov. 23rd) and two assists while Taylor Gauthier made 39 saves as Everett outshot Prince George 42-38.
80 shots between both teams. The goalies were busy tonight. pic.twitter.com/iWLLSFOTr2
— Brett Cullen (@BrettCullen_) January 4, 2020
Ethan Samson, and Vladislav Mikhalchuk also tallied for the Cougars who have earned at least one point in six of their last seven games.
? WHL Highlight of the Night ?
January 3, 2020Vladislav Mikhalchuk of @PGCougars #WHLHoN pic.twitter.com/3TxUBINtlv
— The WHL (@TheWHL) January 4, 2020
Bryce Kindopp scored twice for Everett, 62 seconds apart in the second period, and Wyatte Wylie had the Silvertips other goal in the third.
16-year-old Braden Holt made his first career start for Everett and blocked 34 shots.
Cougars 16-year-old rookie Craig Armstrong got into what he said was his first fight in hockey.
Armstrong dropped the mitts with Everett’s Justyn Gurney, and did well despite giving up a sizable weight and reach advantage.
The win moved the (10-21-2-3) Cougars just 6 points behind the (13-16-4-1) Tri-City Americans and the (14-19-2-1) Seattle Thunderbirds in the race for the final Western Conference wild-card spot.
FINAL: @WHLsilvertips (3) at @PGCougars (4)
STATS ? | https://t.co/Nqrmpme92u#PGvsEVT pic.twitter.com/eqMco8h6V3
— The WHL (@TheWHL) January 4, 2020
The same teams play again tonight at CN Centre.
PA 0 BDN 1
REG 5 SC 7
MJ 0 EDM 5
SAS 4 RD 3 (OT)
CGY 2 MH 5
SEA 5 LET 4 (OT)
VAN 1 KAM 2 (OT)
VIC 2 KEL 1
EVT 3 PG 4
POR 6 SPO 4— The WHL (@TheWHL) January 4, 2020
The PG Cougars schedule/results right here.
The WHL standings are right here.
LISTEN: @hartley_miller‘s #CatScan with former @PGCougars Jonathan Filewich.https://t.co/3yPWKpBOtW
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) January 2, 2020