Prince George Cougars goalie Tyler Brennan was superb in his first start in just over three weeks (since April 1st) but his team fell 2-1 to the Portland Winterhawks.
The 18-year-old Brennan made 44 saves, including 19 in the third period, as Portland doubled the shots on Prince George (46-23) on Saturday night.
Former Cougar Taylor Gauthier picked up the win with 22 saves.
The Game 2 box score and highlights are right here.
The Winterhawks now enjoy a 2-0 lead in the best-of-7 Western Conference quarterfinal series with Games 3 and 4 Tuesday and Wednesday at CN Centre.
All three goals in the game came from defencemen.
Portland’s Kurtis Smythe scored the only goal in the first period, as his point shot found the back of the net at 13:09.
Luca Cagnoni notched the winner at 13:54 of the second period, when he scored off the rush from the left wing.
Former Winterhawk Jonas Brøndberg scored the only goal for the Cats (on a deflection) at 16:29 of the second before 4,678 fans at Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
AGAINST HIS FORMER TEAM.@PGCougars | #WHLPlayoffs | #PORvsPG pic.twitter.com/EvDJQuwUXJ
— The WHL (@TheWHL) April 24, 2022
“That’s two games in a row we had them on the ropes one way or another,” said Associate Coach Josh Dixon. “Absolutely impressed by our group in terms of their compete level, the number of guys stepping up, and the pace we’re playing at against a good, deep team. We could have easily come out of here with a split.”
Cougars forward Craig Armstrong did not play, as he was given a two-game suspension stemming from a five-minute major penalty in Game One.
16-year-old defenceman Ephram McNutt made his WHL debut for Prince George.
SCORING
POR- 1st Period-13:09-Kurtis Smythe (1). Assists: Robbie Fromm-Delorme, Cross Hanas
POR- 2nd Period- 13:54- Luca Cagnoni (1). Assists: Tyson Kozak, Robbie Fromm-Delorme
PG- 2nd Period- 16:29- Jonas Brøndberg (1). Assists: Koehn Ziemmer, Riley Heidt
GOALTENDING
Winterhawks: Taylor Gauthier (W), 60:00 (1 GA, 22 SVS)
Cougars: Tyler Brennan (L), 58:44 (2 GA, 44 SVS)
SHOTS
Winterhawks: 46
Cougars: 23
SPECIAL TEAMS
Winterhawks: 0/5
Cougars: 0/1
THREE STARS:
1) Robbie Fromm Delorme (Portland)
2) Luca Cagnoni (Portland)
3) Tyler Brennan (Prince George)
Here are your Saturday #WHLPlayoffs finals! #WHLScores pic.twitter.com/vUUUAngslO
— The WHL (@TheWHL) April 24, 2022
The WHL playoff standings are right here.
PG Cougars Playoff Schedule vs. Portland
Friday, April 22nd at Portland (Game 1)- Portland 5 PG 2
The Game 1 box score and highlights are right here.
Saturday, April 23rd at Portland (Game 2)- Portland 2 PG 1
Tuesday, April 26th vs. Portland (Game 3)- 7:00 pm
Wednesday, April 27th vs. Portland (Game 4)- 7:00 pm
Saturday, April 30th at Portland (Game 5)- 5:00 pm If Necessary
Monday, May 2nd vs. Portland (Game 6)- 7:00 pm If Necessary
Wednesday, May 4th at Portland (Game 7)- 7:00 pm If Necessary
With files from Fraser Rodgers