Like Irishmen waiting outside a pub on St. Patrick’s Day morning, the Prince George Cougars couldn’t wait to make history against the Victoria Royals.
The Western Conference Leading Cats showed no mercy on their BC Division rival Saturday night hanging a 10-4 shelling against the Royals in the provincial capital.
It was a historic night for two reasons – with the victory, the 2023-24 edition of the Cougars became the winningest in franchise history as they improved their mark to 46-15-1-3.
In addition, Zac Funk jumped to first in the franchise’s history books for points in a single season with 116 (and counting with three games remaining) after a goal and three assists.
This one is for the history books!
Zac Funk collects his 113th point of the season to sit atop the @PGCougars' single-season scoring record!@Capitals | #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/ArPBMP9RzX
— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 17, 2024
The previous record was held by Quinn Hancock who tallied 112 in 1997-98.
The 20-year-old from Coldstream B.C. surpassed Hancock less than minute into the second period as he was sprung on a breakaway courtesy of Viliam Kmec, making no mistake on Victoria netminder Jayden Kraus – notching his 65th goal of the season.
PG held leads of 3-1 and 7-4 after the conclusion of the first 40 minutes.
After Tyson Laventure made it 1-0 for Victoria, the Cougars replied six consecutive times including a pair by rookie Terik Parascak followed by a single from Carlin Dezainde.
We know it may not look like it, but these are indeed two different goals from Terik Parascak.
The rookie is up to 41 goals on the season!@PGCougars | #NHLDraft https://t.co/aC9gOyMCBB pic.twitter.com/bC7IS5tuoT
— The WHL (@TheWHL) March 17, 2024
Following Funk’s record-setting goal, it was Ondrej Becher’s turn to dominate, lighting the lamp four times, including a natural hat-trick in the third period.
Borya Valis and Aiden Foster also added goals for Prince George.
Dawson Pasternak, Escalus Burlock and Matthew Keller scored for Victoria in defeat.
Seven Cougars had multi-point games in the victory – the list includes Becher (five points), Viliam Kmec (three assists), Hudson Thornton (three assists), Funk (one goal, three assists), Valis (one goal and two assists), Dezainde (one goal, one assist) and Parascak (two goals, one assist).
Ty Young, who received back-to-back starts, allowed four goals on 16 Victoria shots. Kraus on the other hand, allowed 10 on 40 Prince George attempts.
The Cougars went 2-for-6 on the power-play while the Royals went 0-for-4.
PG remains a point up on the Portland Winterhawks (45-15-2-1) for top spot in the Western Conference.
Both teams finish off a busy weekend with their third game in as many days today (Sunday).
The Cougars take on the Vancouver Giants (31-29-4-0) at 4pm from the Langley Events Centre while Winterhawks tangle with the Seattle Thunderbirds (24-37-2-0) at 5 o’clock.
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