The Spokane Chiefs used a strong defensive game to beat the Prince George Cougars 5-1 Saturday, completing
a two-game sweep at CN Centre.
FINAL: You can’t win ’em all. Gauthier nonetheless had a stellar showing between the pipes. #United pic.twitter.com/pWnooiBYpZ
— PG Cougars (@PGCougars) September 24, 2017
Jared Bethune got the Cougars on the board just over four minutes into the first, but the lead lasted just 28 seconds before Rykr Cole evened the score.
Hudson Elynuik notched the winner just over eight minutes later as the Chiefs built up period leads of 2-1 and 3-1 before 2,683 fans.
10 Spokane players picked up at least one point and none had more than two.
Cole and Elynuik both finished with a goal and an assist.
The Chiefs scored twice in the final two minutes of the game, including their 4th goal, which went into an empty net.
Cougars’ 16-year-old Taylor Gauthier stopped 21 of 25 shots in his first WHL start.
@tgoats_35 debuting in @TheWHL tonight! #fearthenorth #WHLOpeningWeek pic.twitter.com/ABmszyWZvf
— PG Cougars (@PGCougars) September 24, 2017
Spokane had just 11 shots in the final two periods and had an overall edge of 26-25.
Both teams went scoreless on the power play (0-4 each), but in an oddity neither team had the man advantage for the full two minutes.
Cougars coach Richard Matvichuk stated on 94.3 the GOAT’s post-game show he was very pleased with the effort of the younger players on the team, but was very disappointed in the play of the older veterans.
“It is frustrating losing two games, especially two at home,” says Matvichuk, adding he expects a much better performance from the leaders.
“We had far too many turnovers,” stated Cougars assistant coach Shawn Chambers.
The Chiefs took Friday’s opener 4-2.
The 0-2 Cougars play their next three on the road beginning Friday in Seattle.