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Brennan’s brilliance not enough as Cougars fall to Giants

For the second game in a row, the Prince George Cougars came out flatter than a pancake.

Despite a stellar 43-save performance from Tyler Brennan, the Cougars were unable to rise to the occasion falling 1-0 in a shootout to the Vancouver Giants in Kamloops on Easter Sunday.

The contest resembled more of a half-court basketball game, where Brennan and his teammates were under siege for 65 consecutive minutes getting outshot 43-14 in the process.

During a post-game Zoom call, Cougars Head Coach and General Manager Mark Lamb told the media it’s tough to waste such a stellar performance between the pipes.

“He got us a point (Brennan) so I am happy with that but after that we looked sluggish – the simple plays weren’t there and when you are sluggish mentally you have a lot of guys who are very under par.”

While the Cougars drop to 1-2-0-1 on the hub-season, Lamb acknowledged his young roster is experiencing some growing pains but admits that’s not his biggest problem.

“It has a lot to do with learning, it has a lot to do with the league. We have a lot of really good young players who are getting to see first hand how hard it is. I’m not too worried about some of our young guys, it’s some of our older guys, that is very concerning.”

During the halfway point of the first period, the Cougars were unable to cash in on a lengthy 5-on-3 man advantage after Mazden Leslie and Nicco Cammazolla took a pair of minors for the Giants.

On the flip side, Vancouver couldn’t solve Brennan on six power-plays, including a stretch of three straight between the second and third periods.

Tristen Nielsen’s goal during round three of the shootout slipped past the blocker side of Brennan and into the net to secure the victory for the Giants who improved to 3-1.

“It’s a little disappointing, I played as hard as I could and it’s the little things that we need to touch up on as a team to get the win the next game,” added Brennan.

Both Brennan and Giants netminder Trent Miner registered shutouts – although Miner didn’t have to quite work as hard, only stopping 13 shots.

Lamb wouldn’t name Brennan the number one goalie over incumbent Taylor Gauthier – even though the numbers suggest otherwise.

In two starts against the Kamloops Blazers, Gauthier has posted an 0-2 record coupled with a 5.57 goals against average as well as a save percentage of .851.

Brennan on the other hand, currently sports a 1-0-0-1 mark with a .960 save percentage along with a 1.44 goals against average.

The 17-year-old was named to Canada’s roster for the World U-18 Men’s Hockey Championship taking place in Texas from April 26th to May 6th.

The Cougars are off until Tuesday as they look to rebound against the Victoria Royals (0-3-0-1).

Puck drop is at 7pm from Sandman Centre and you can catch all the action on 94.3 The Goat with Fraser Rodgers.

Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].

Brendan Pawliw
Brendan Pawliw
Since moving to Prince George in 2015, Brendan has covered local sports including the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, Prince George Spruce Kings, UNBC Timberwolves, Cariboo Cougars AAA, and Northern Capitals U18 female hockey teams. Career highlights include play-by-play during the Spruce Kings' BCHL championship runs in 2018 and 2019, including the Doyle Cup win. He also covered the 2019 National Junior A Championship, the 2017 Telus Cup, the 2022 World Women’s Curling Championship, and the 2022 BC Summer Games. Brendan is the news voice on 94.3 The Goat and Country 97 FM, reporting on crime, real estate, labour, and environmental issues. Outside of work, he officiates box lacrosse and fastball, sits on the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame board, and co-hosts the Hockey North podcast.

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