Gauthier injured; Cougars suffer 12th consecutive loss

New coach, same result but only this time the Prince George Cougars lost their starting goaltender.

Despite a 3-1 lead after one period, the Cougars suffered their 12th consecutive loss (0-9-3), falling 4-3 to the Kelowna Rockets before 4,727 fans at Prospera Place.

To make matters worse, 17-year-old goalie Taylor Gauthier suffered an upper-body injury midway through the third with the game tied 3-3.

15-year-old Tyler Brennan of Winnipeg gave up the winning goal to Mark Liwiski with just 7:50 left.

Liwiski was the one that clipped Gauthier with his leg.

Brennan was the 21st-overall pick in the 2018 WHL bantam draft.

He is with the team because regular back-up Isaiah DiLaura is out with an upper-body injury.

Captain Josh Curtis scored twice and Cole Moberg also tallied for the Cougars who played their first game since General Manager Mark Lamb replaced Richard Matvichuk as Head Coach.

Watch the highlights here.

Prince George will play the (36-13-2-1) Vancouver Giants Sunday afternoon in Langley before returning to CN Centre for a four-game homestand.

The 16-31-4-2 Cougars are last in the Western Conference, seven points behind the (20-26-4-1) Kamloops Blazers and eight back of the (20-26-5-1) Seattle Thunderbirds.

SCORING SUMMARY

First Period

Cougars [1-0] Cole Moberg (11) from Ethan Browne and Vladislav Mikhalchuk 13:13 PP
Cougars [2-0] Josh Curtis (10) from Ryan Schoettler and Rhett Rhinehart 16:13
Rockets [2-1] Nolan Foote (27) unassisted 18:14 SHG
Cougars [3-1] Josh Curtis (11) from Tyson Upper and Rhett Rhinehart 19:07 PP

Second Period

Rockets [3-2] Cayde Augustine (1) from Kaeden Korczak and Mark Liwiski 9:20 PP

Third Period

Rockets [3-3] Nolan Foote (27) from Kyle Crosbie and Leif Mattson 8:05
Rockets [4-3] Mark Liwiski (6) from Michael Farren and Kyle Topping 12:10

GOALTENDING

Cougars- Taylor Gauthier 17/20 49:05 | Tyler Brennan (Loss) 4/5 10:10
Rockets- James Porter 13/16 20:00 | Roman Basran (Win) 15/15 40:00

POWER PLAY

Cougars- 2/4
Rockets- 1/5

(All of the PG Cougars Cat Scan Podcasts can be found right here)