Thanks to Ty Young, the Prince George Cougars have their first shutout of the season.
Young made 30 saves for his first career WHL shutout as the Cougars beat the Rockets 3-0 in front of 3751 fans in Kelowna,.
For the second straight game, the Cougars have found success in a sound physical and defensive strategy – which will only get stronger when their final deadline acquisition joins the roster on Friday.
The Cougars controlled the game right from the opening faceoff, eager to turn things around after a flu-ridden, 2-6-3 December.
It was the Cougars’ depth scoring who got the job done tonight – after a period of chances and sustained pressure Cole Dubinsky opened the scoring at 16:21 with a goal of the year candidate.
LOSING OUR MINDS, ARE YOU SERIOUS COLE😱🤯 https://t.co/zZKZoQz0cV pic.twitter.com/aZvPGB2HH8
— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) January 11, 2023
Blake Eastman would follow that up two minutes later with a shorthanded breakaway goal.
"Do you want to go to war, Balake? Because we could go to war."
– Mr. Garvey https://t.co/LoQJOAxcM4 pic.twitter.com/72jznsUeEW
— Prince George Cougars (@PGCougars) January 11, 2023
Viliam Kmec added his second of the year late in the second period to increase the lead to 3-0, which would be the game’s final goal.
Talyn Boyko made 34 saves on 37 shots in the Rockets’ net.
Prince George was 0/1 on their only powerplay opportunity, but killed all four of Kelowna’s chances and had a shorthanded goal.
Kelowna was without its best player, Andrew Cristall, for the game.
Cristall is currently projected to be taken in the top 10 of the 2023 NHL Entry draft and is second in league scoring, only behind Connor Bedard.
The win brings the Cougars record back up to .500 – 17-17-3-0, tied for 5th with Everett and Tri City in the Western Conference standings at 37 points.
They are one point behind Vancouver for 4th with a game in hand.
Kelowna falls to 13-21-3-0, 8th in the conference, 5 points ahead of the Victoria Royals.
The Cougars road trip will now head east to Lethbridge (21-12-0-2) for a Friday battle, the first stop on their central division tour.
For tonight’s box score, click here.