O’Rourke critical of team’s goaltending as Cougars’ rally falls short

Another bad start cost the Prince George Cougars.

The Kelowna Rockets built up period leads of 4-2 and 6-2 and then held on for a 6-5 victory.

The BC Division leading Rockets scored three times on their first six shots to take a 3-0 lead by the 5:35 mark of the opening period.

Rockets fend off a third period comeback and hang on for a 6-5 win over the Cougars. Details: https://t.co/DskfdrZb1i #KELvsPG #WHLRockets #W #BCBattle ?? pic.twitter.com/QSNQyiArtf

— Kelowna Rockets (@Kelowna_Rockets) February 21, 2018

It was the 11th consecutive game that the Cougars have failed to score the first goal.

“It seems like we are waiting to see what the game’s going to bring and then get going. Once we get going we
do fine, but again we are digging holes that you can’t climb out of,” said Cougars Associate Head Coach Steve O’Rourke on 94.3 the GOAT‘s post-game show.

Tavin Grant started in net for Prince George, but was pulled after giving up the first three goals.

“This is a 5-4 win for us if we have goaltending. The first shot of the game can’t go in. A dump in, rebound can’t be left on the side of the net unaware. I mean these guys compete, all 20 guys have to give the same out there and we didn’t get that,” added a frustrated O’Rourke.

Taylor Gauthier allowed three goals on 23 shots before he suffered an upper body injury early in the third period.

The 19-year-old Grant came back in to make the final eight saves.

The dynamic duo of Dillon Dube and Carsen Twarynski again led the Rockets.

The 19-year-old Dube scored twice and added an assist to give him a whopping 14 points (5G, 9A) in five games this season against Prince George.

The 20-year-old Twarnyski had a pair of goals to boost his total to 11 points (7G, 4A) in the five games vs. the Cats.

FINAL: @PGCougars (5) at @Kelowna_Rockets (6)

SCORING ? | https://t.co/HdBvtYcMbu#KELvsPG

— The WHL (@TheWHL) February 21, 2018

The Rockets, who lead second place Victoria by three points, are 5-0 this season against the Cougars.

In addition, Kelowna has won the last nine games against PG dating back to last year.

Vladislav Mikhalchuk, Jared Bethune, and Jackson Leppard all notched a goal and an assist.

Rhett Rhinehart, with his first WHL goal, and Ryan Schoettler also tallied for the Cougars, who have lost 12 of their last 15 games.

Also, congrats to @Rhinehart16 on scoring his 1st @TheWHL goal tonight ?#WHL #Souvenir pic.twitter.com/FKqWjlzLTh

— Fraser Rodgers (@Fraser_PG) February 21, 2018

Each team scored once on the power play and had 37 shots.

The (20-31-4-4) Cougars, with just 13 games left, visit Spokane on Friday and Tri-City Saturday before hosting Kelowna on Tuesday and Wednesday (February 27th and 28th).

Prince George began its four-game road trip with a 7-6 shootout victory (Saturday) in Kamloops.

WATCH:

WESTERN HOCKEY LEAGUE:

BC DIVISION STANDINGS:

Kelowna, 60 games = 36-18-4-2 (78 points)
Victoria, 61 games = 35-21-3-2  (75 points)
Vancouver, 59 games = 31-20-5-3 (70 points)
Kamloops, 60 games = 26-29-1-4 (57 points)
Prince George, 59 games = 20-31-4-4 (48 points)

WESTERN CONFERENCE WILD CARD:

Tri-City, 58 games = 29-21-7-1 (66 points)
Seattle, 58 games = 28-21-7-2 (65 points)
Kamloops, 60 games = 26-29-1-4 (57 points)
Prince George, 59 games = 20-31-4-4 (48 points)