Touchdown!
The Prince George Cougars arrived home at the CN Centre Friday night for the first time in 2019, scoring a season-high seven goals in a single game against Kelowna.
After an 11-game road trip through December and early January, you wouldn’t think the Cats would be able to take down the Rockets 7-2, but Defenceman Cole Moberg says they had more jump than expected.
“We wanted to continue with what we started on the road trip,” explained the 18-year-old on 94.3 the GOAT’s post-game show.
“We had three good games near the end of it. Spokane didn’t really work well for us, but we have more fans here and we want more fans here too. So, we just wanted to come out flying from the start and get everyone into the game really quick.”
The Cougars opened with four goals in the first period, two on the power-play and forcing Kelowna Head Coach Adam Foote to switch goaltenders after the first three.
The scorers were Josh Maser (2), Ethan Browne, and Matej Toman.
The start of the second was quiet until Moberg netted his first of two goals in the contest, which was followed by Kelowna breaking Taylor Gauthier’s possible shutout with 34 seconds left in the frame and on the man-advantage.
Jack Sander was able to get up on the board for the first time this year, going post-and-in from the blue line.
? SCORES! ? @JackSander17 goes post and in from the point! His 1st of the season! 6-1 at 9:34!
?: @Rhinehart16 @CBowie09 pic.twitter.com/25AFZSGB0M— PG Cougars (@PGCougars) January 12, 2019
The Rockets added one more of their own before Moberg sealed the victory in the final four minutes of regulation, increasing PG’s 2019 record to 3-1.
He understands Kelowna will have a lot of pride in trying to leave the Northern capital with two points of their own.
“I think we just got to prepare like we did tonight. We know they’re gonna come out flying but as long as we can get an early jump on them and get a couple of good ones in early, we can pick it up from there.”
The (15-22-1-2) Cougars are now tied for the second wildcard playoff spot with Kamloops, and by beating Kelowna, they are now five points back of third place in the BC Division.
Head Coach Richard Matvichuk was pleased with his team’s efforts even after a long haul, believing the break from home ice came at a good time.
“They’re having a lot of fun. We’ve seen more smiles and teammates cheering for each other and holding each other accountable too. Since the break we’ve been good; there were a few that we could’ve had a better fate, but tonight, the guys came out like gangbusters and we gotta find a way to do it all again.”
Prince George is home for the next five games, wrapping up its doubleheader with the Rockets tonight at 7PM on Country Night.
#WHLThreeStars ⭐⭐⭐
Friday, January 11, 2019 pic.twitter.com/kJsVkVHD3I— The WHL (@TheWHL) January 12, 2019
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