19-year-old goaltender Tavin Grant, in his second start of the season, made 47 saves to lead the visiting Prince George Cougars to a 3-0 triumph over the Portland Winterhawks.
The Winterhawks out-shot the Cats 47-29, including 23-4 in the third period.
“We completely believe in Tavin, and when he can see the puck he’s going to stop it,” stated Cougars coach Richard Matvichuk on 94.3 the GOAT’s post-game show.
It was the first victory of the season for the (1-3) Cougars and the first loss for the (2-1) Winterhawks.
FINAL: @tavin_grant with a FORTY-SEVEN save shutout! Cougars get their 1st win in 2017-2018. Coming back across the border with 2 pts! #WHL pic.twitter.com/WeeYyiPdOO
— PG Cougars (@PGCougars) October 2, 2017
Prince George scored a pair of power play goals just 86 seconds apart early in the second as the Cats enjoyed period leads of 1-0 and 3-0.
Belarus import Vladislav Mikhalchuk notched a goal and an assist.
Kody McDonald and Jackson Leppard also tallied while Jared Bethune picked up a pair of assists for the Cougars who went two-for-two on the power-play.
The Winterhawks were zero-for-seven with the man advantage.
“Our younger guys played well and our older guys played better,” said Matvichuk, who acknowledged it was by far the team’s best overall effort in the young season.
The Cougars’ three-game road trip will conclude Wednesday in Kamloops.
The 0-5 Blazers, who lost a weekend double-header in Victoria, are the only WHL team without a victory.
#WHLThreeStars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 1, 2017#WHLOpeningWeek ? pic.twitter.com/jWuKSdMq0j— The WHL (@TheWHL) October 2, 2017