It wasn’t flashy, fancy, or filled with spectacular plays.
The Prince George Cougars delivered one of their best “team” performances of the season to double the Lethbridge Hurricanes 4-2 and earn a split of the doubleheader. (The Hurricanes took Friday’s game 6-2).
Saturday night before 2,704 fans at the CN Centre, Max Kryski snapped a 2-2 tie at 10:38 of the third period and Josh Curtis, with his third goal in two nights, added the insurance marker just 16 seconds later to help the Cougars end a three-game losing streak and a three-game home losing skid.
Jared Bethune and Austin Crossley also tallied for the Cougars, who erased a 2-1 deficit after the opening period.
There were 10 Cougars who picked up a point; no player in the game had more than one point.
“It was an all-around effort, right from Tavin, who was fantastic, and all the way out to our young defencemen and our forwards,” said Cougars head coach Richard Matvichuk on 94.3 the GOAT‘s post-game show.
Tavin Grant, who was not dressed in the previous two games, was sharp with 28 saves as Prince George outshot Lethbridge 32-30.
“His (Grant’s) last game he was kind of nonchalant and it happens. It was a time to send a message to him (sitting out) and our young goalies that you have to compete every day. Tavin and I had a long talk for an hour or an hour and a half yesterday (Friday) and Tavin basically said he wants the reigns, and he wants to play for us for a long time, so we put him right back in there,” said Matvichuk.
PG went one-for-seven on the power play and three-for-three on the penalty kill.
The 18-23-4-3 Cougars are tied with Kamloops for last in the Western Conference, eight points behind the Spokane Chiefs, who hold down the final wild-card spot.
Prince George will begin a six-game Prairie road trip Friday in Prince Albert.
They also make stops in Saskatoon, Swift Current, Regina, Brandon, and Moose Jaw.
The Cougars next home games will be February 9th and 10th against the Kamloops Blazers.
BC DIVISION STANDINGS:
Kelowna, 46 games = 29-14-2-1 (61 points)
Victoria, 48 games = 27-17-3-1 (58 points)
Vancouver, 47 games = 25-15-4-3 (57 points)
Kamloops, 46 games = 20-23-1-2 (43 points)
Prince George, 48 games = 18-23-4-3 (43 points)
WESTERN CONFERENCE WILD CARD:
Tri-City, 46 games = 23-16-7-0 (53 points)
Spokane, 46 games = 24-19-1-2 (51 points)
Kamloops, 46 games = 20-23-1-2 (43 points)
Prince George, 48 games = 18-23-4-3 (43 points)
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