A five minute stretch in the opening period was key to the Kamloops Blazers 3-0 victory over the Prince George Cougars Friday night before 1,993 fans at CN Centre.
The Blazers posted their third straight shutout, eighth consecutive road win and ninth straight triumph overall.
Down 1-0, the Cougars had a five-minute power-play at 11:28 of the first period, including a
five-on-three man-advantage for the last two minutes.
They mustered just one shot on goal over the five minutes and zero shots for the entire 5-on-3.
Kamloops forward Connor Zary collided with Taylor Gauthier, which resulted in a five-minute major penalty for goaltender interference as well as a game misconduct.
Exactly three minutes into the major penalty the Blazers were called on another goaltender interference penalty (to their leading scorer Zane Franklin), which handed Prince George a full two-minute two-man advantage.
The Cougars were blanked for the 7th time this season and for the second time in their last three games.
Dylan Garand earned his fourth shutout of the season as Kamloops outshot Prince George 43-27.
The (31-11-2-1) Blazers ran their shutout streak to a franchise-record 209:33.
Taylor Gauthier was superb in the Cats net making 40 saves while allowing just two goals.
Gauthier has a .950 save percentage in four meetings against the Blazers this season.
Josh Pillar scored twice, including the winner at 9:09 of the first period.
The last Kamloops goal by Caeden Bankier was scored into an empty net.
The Blazers have outscored the opposition 52-9 during their nine-game win streak.
FINAL: @blazerhockey (3) at @PGCougars (0)
STATS ? | https://t.co/bXPse15iQw#PGvsKAM pic.twitter.com/A1bGy7xm85
— The WHL (@TheWHL) January 25, 2020
The (12-25-3-4) Cougars are nine points behind the (18-22-3-1) Seattle Thunderbirds for the final Western Conference wild-card spot with both teams having 24 games left, including four against each other.
The Cats are also two points back of the (14-24-4-1) Tri-City Americans.
The Cougars host the Blazers again tonight as they continue a six-game homestand.
Prince George will also entertain Tri-City Jan. 31st and Feb. 1st and Seattle on Feb. 4th and 5th.
VIC 3 BDN 6
LET 7 REG 2
MJ 5 SC 2
MH 5 SAS 6
EDM 2 PA 3
KAM 3 PG 0
SEA 2 KEL 3 (OT)
TC 2 POR 8— The WHL (@TheWHL) January 25, 2020
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The P.G. Cougars schedule/results right here.
The WHL standings are right here.
CAT SCAN: @Hartley_Miller chats with @cariboocougars bench boss and former @PGCougars player Tyler Brough on this week’s edition of the Cat Scan podcast
| https://t.co/WEogp7hCzA #CityofPG #sports #NorthernUprising pic.twitter.com/zV9mpx1qH7— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) January 23, 2020