Cougars allow eight to sit 0-3 out of gate

It has been a struggle for the Prince George Cougars keeping the puck out of their net in their first three games of the 2021-22 WHL season.

The Cougars lost 8-3 Saturday night to the Blazers in the Kamloops home opener before 2,957 fans at Sandman Centre.

This followed the Cougars 6-4 loss to Vancouver in the Giants home opener Friday in Langley.

Prince George is off to an 0-3 start, surrendering a WHL Western Conference high 19 goals while scoring 11.

The Blazers jumped out to a 5-0 lead by the midway point of the game and coasted from there.

Tyler Brennan gave up five goals on 25 shots before he was replaced by Ty Young at 8:38 of the second period.

Young stopped 16 of 19 as Kamloops outshot Prince George 44-35.

The three P.G. goals all came on the power-play from Captain Jonny Hooker, Ethan Samson and Craig Armstrong.

Cougars 16-year-old Riley Heidt had three assists and now has six points (1-5-6) in his first three games.

Logan Stankoven led the Blazers with two goals and two assists while Fraser Minten also tallied twice.

? HIGHLIGHT OF THE NIGHT ?@DallasStars prospect Logan Stankoven turns on the afterburners to ignite @blazerhockey on Saturday. #WHLOpeningWeek | #WHLHoN pic.twitter.com/Gb6YyQPQNP

— The WHL (@TheWHL) October 10, 2021

GAME SUMMARY

Scoring

Cougars: Hooker, Samson, Armstrong
Blazers: Minten (2), Stankoven (2), Bankier, Kuefler Stacha, Spencer

Goaltending

Cougars: Tyler Brennan – 28:38, 20 saves, 25 shots, Ty Young – 31:22, 16 saves, 19 shots
Blazers: Dylan Garand – 60:00, 32 saves, 35 shots

Power-Play

Cougars: 3/8
Blazers: 2/6

Shots

Cougars: 35
Blazers: 44

The Cougars host the (1-2) Victoria Royals on Saturday, October 16th at 7 PM and Sunday, October 17th at 2 PM.

With files from Fraser Rodgers