A former Kelowna Rocket played a major role in helping the Edmonton Oil Kings to a 5-4 shootout victory over the Prince George Cougars.
Tomas Soustal, who was traded from the Rockets to the Oil Kings this month for a fourth-round WHL Bantam Draft pick, scored the only goal in the shootout.
In addition, the 20-year-old from the Czech Republic tallied on a third period penalty shot with 5:15 left to briefly give his team a 4-3 lead.
Brogan O’Brien tied the game on a power play with 3:47 remaining in regulation time.
Jared Bethune (1G, 1A), Jackson Leppard and Aaron Boyd also scored for the Cougars.
Both Kody McDonald and Dennis Cholowski picked up a pair of assists for the Cats, who began a seven-game road trip before 6,935 fans in Edmonton.
RECAP: Cougars pick up point in shootout loss to start Alberta road trip.
? https://t.co/OXqk7OG4pi#WHL #CityofPG pic.twitter.com/Fojv3DYvxH— PG Cougars (@PGCougars) October 21, 2017
“It’s a tough way to lose but we have to learn to defend better. The goals that we’re giving up it’s because we’re cheating on the offensive side,” said Cougars Head Coach Richard Matvichuk on 94.3 the GOAT’s post-game show.
“Our guys came out and battled tonight (Friday). Having the lead, losing the lead, bouncing back, there was no quit, without a doubt.”
The Cougars were one-for-three on the power-play, while the Oil Kings were 0-for-4 with the man advantage; each team had 27 shots.
17-year-old rookie Isaiah DiLaura made his first WHL start in net for the Cougars, who are carrying three goalies.
“I thought he was fine. He saw the puck real well and did some really good things,” said Matvichuk.
The 3-5-2-1 Cougars visit the Red Deer Rebels tonight and the Calgary Hitmen Sunday afternoon.
The Rebels beat the Hitmen 4-2 Friday in Red Deer.
Prince George is fourth in the WHL’s BC Division, but just a point behind both the Kelowna Rockets and the Vancouver Giants.
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