For the first time in nearly six weeks (since January 12th) the Prince George Cougars have a win.
The Cougars ended a club-record 17-game losing skid (0-13-0-1) by posting a 2-1 shootout victory over the Blazers before 3,412 fans Friday night in Kamloops.
It was the first time in seven games (1-5-0-1), that the Cats have won since general manager Mark Lamb replaced Richard Matvichuk as head coach.
In addition, Prince George also beat Kamloops for the first time in seven meetings this season.
“It feels so good,” said Assistant Coach Nick Drazenovic on the 94.3 the Goat post-game show.
“The boys played their hearts out. Kamloops had a push in the third but our motto going into it was bend but don’t break. Top to bottom, we battled and we were rewarded.”
Taylor Gauthier, often the best Cougar, led the team again with 41 saves and two more in the shootout.
The ? gets the team belt. 41 saves, a few BIG ones and the 2nd Star too. pic.twitter.com/WfRQD1JaW0
— PG Cougars (@PGCougars) February 23, 2019
#WHLThreeStars ⭐⭐⭐
Friday, February 22, 2019 pic.twitter.com/TgZfnHWjoJ— The WHL (@TheWHL) February 23, 2019
Josh Maser (23) scored on a first period power play and both Ethan Browne and Vladislav Mikhalchuk beat
Dylan Ferguson in the shootout.
The game summary is right here and the game highlights are right here.
Prince George defenceman Cole Moberg suffered an upper-body injury in the second period and did not return.
The 18-year-old Moberg was hit by Jeff Faith of the Blazers, who was given a two-minute charging penalty.
Austin Crossley came to the aide of Moberg, as he dropped the gloves with Faith.
The Cougars visit the Western Conference leading Everett Silvertips tonight in their ninth last game of the season.
(They also have two games remaining against Spokane, Victoria, Portland and Kamloops).
The 17-35-4-3 Cougars are last in the Western Conference, nine points behind the (22-28-4-2) Blazers and 13 back of the (24-28-5-1) Seattle Thunderbirds.
The Thunderbirds hold down the final wild-card playoff spot.
SAS 2 BDN 6
CGY 4 REG 5 (OT)
MJ 4 SC 2
KTN 0 PA 4
RD 1 EDM 2
MH 3 LET 6
VIC 0 VAN 4
PG 2 KAM 1 (SO)
SEA 3 EVT 2 (OT)
KEL 4 SPO 3 (SO)
POR 2 TC 4— The WHL (@TheWHL) February 23, 2019
LISTEN: .@Hartley_Miller‘s Cat Scan – February 21st. 2019… featuring former @PGCougars player Greg Gardner @TheWHL | https://t.co/D5JEmvkqRj #cityofpg #sports #MyWHL pic.twitter.com/uRCvmAbwN6
— My Prince George Now (@mypgnow) February 22, 2019
(All of the PG Cougars Cat Scan Podcasts can be found right here)