The Prince George Cougars scored at even strength, on the power play, shorthanded, on the penalty shot, and twice while four-on-four in a convincing 6-2 triumph over the Vancouver Giants.
It was a completely different kind of game from the night before where the Giants posted a 5-3 Friday win.
On Saturday, before 2,943 fans, the Cougars played a complete 60-minute game to snap a five-game losing streak.
“We came out tonight right from the drop of the puck and we decided to work, and that was the difference in the hockey game,” said Cougars Head Coach Richard Matvichuk on 94.3 the GOAT’s post-game show.
FINAL:
✌?losing streak. Big night in the Cougars den. @WHLKootenayICE on deck#WHL #CityOfPG pic.twitter.com/cP5YduRDAc— PG Cougars (@PGCougars) December 3, 2017
Prince George enjoyed period leads of 2-1 and 3-2 and outshot Vancouver 34-24.
It was a much needed confidence booster for the Cats.
“Definitely helps our overall team going into practice; we are going to have a better room, just be more happier. Everyone is going to be looking forward to it, just hoping to do the same against Kootenay,” said Cougars
second-year defenceman Ryan Schoettler.
Brogan O’Brien snapped a 2-2 tie midway through the second period on a penalty shot.
O’Brien was hauled down by Alex Kannok-Liepert on a breakaway with his team shorthanded.
Aaron Boyd and Ethan O’Rourke both scored with each team a man short, just 18 seconds apart, late in the second period.
Jared Bethune, Josh Curtis, and Joel Lakusta all tallied in the third.
WE’RE HAVING A SUGAR RUSH! Those hands belong in a candy shop @Brogs_97! SWEEEET! pic.twitter.com/Syyey4Jj9A
— PG Cougars (@PGCougars) December 3, 2017
Bethune added two assists, the only player with three points.
Ex-Cougar Brad Morrison had both goals for the 12-13-2-2 Giants.
Rookie Taylor Gauthier was superb in the PG net with 22 saves, including a pair of breakaway stops on Morrison, the first one just 70 seconds into the game.
The win keeps the 10-14-2-2 Cougars two points back of the Kamloops Blazers and moves them four points behind 3rd place Vancouver in the BC Division.
The Blazers won their game 2-1 over the Thunderbirds in Seattle.
The 12-15-1 Kootenay Ice, who lost 5-2 Saturday in Kelowna, will play at the CN Centre Tuesday when the Cougars continue a five-game home-stand.
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