The first period woes continued for the Prince George Cougars in a 7-1 loss to the Kamloops Blazers before 2,957 fans at Sandman Centre on New Year’s day.
The Blazers put the game away early by scoring four unanswered goals in the first and two more in the second.
The Cougars have been outscored 39-23 in the opening period during the 2021-22 WHL regular season.
Kamloops swept the home and home as they also beat the Cats 4-3 in a shootout on New Year’s eve in Prince George.
Hudson Thornton scored in the third period for the the only goal for the Cougars, who extended their losing streak to five games.
Tyler Brennan started in net and surrendered six goals on 21 shots.
He was replaced by Ty Young in the second period who blocked seven of eight.
Kamloops outshot Prince George 29-16, including 13-2 in the opening frame.
The line of Ty Spencer, Dylan Sydor, and Emmitt Finnie had a big night, as they combined for nine points.
Sydor notched a pair of goals and three points, Spencer had four assists, and Finnie chipped in with two helpers.
The Blazers put up seven goals without two of their top scorers in Logan Stankoven and Josh Pillar. Both missed the game due to injury.
Prince George is 2-4-0-1 against Kamloops in seven games this season and 13-17-1-1 overall.
The Cougars host the (12-14-4) Victoria Royals on Friday and Saturday.
Both Prince George and Victoria have 28 points, tied for 7th in the Western Conference standings, one point behind the Vancouver Giants.
The Royals lost 5-2 to the Rockets in Kelowna Saturday night.
1 down, 364 to go.#WHLScores pic.twitter.com/o6JHrU5NJV
— The WHL (@TheWHL) January 2, 2022
The WHL standings are right here.
The PG Cougars regular season schedule is right here.
GAME SUMMARY
Scoring
Cougars: Hudson Thornton
Blazers: Dylan Sydor (2), Mats Lindgren, Fraser Minten, Kaden Hammell, Connor Levis, Luke Korte
Goaltending
Cougars: Tyler Brennan 36:08, 15 saves, 21 shots | Ty Young, 23:52, 7 saves, 8 shots
Blazers: Dylan Garand, 60:00, 15 saves, 16 shots
Power-Play
Cougars: 0-3
Blazers: 1-3
Shots
Cougars: 16
Blazers: 29
Three Stars: 1) Ty Spencer 2) Dylan Sydor 3) Fraser Minten
Cat Scan Podcast:
LISTEN: Hartley’s Cat Scan with Tyler Brough – December 30th, 2021 https://t.co/kpIDJdCY31 pic.twitter.com/jowAG1YyTd
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) December 30, 2021
With files from Fraser Rodgers