Cougars get massive road win, defeat Rockets 3-2

Dec 11, 2021 | 10:12 AM

In their fifth attempt in the 2021-22 Western Hockey League (WHL) season, the Prince George Cougars got their first win over the Kelowna Rockets.

After trading goals in the first period, the Cougars had one of their better road periods of the season, outshooting the Rockets 9-8 and outscoring them 2-0. Craig Armstrong tipped in Viliam Kmec’s wrist shot before Kmec wristed a goal in himself. It was 3-1 Prince George heading into the third period.

Cougars goaltender Tyler Brennan left the game early in the third period due to injury, but Taylor Gauthier held fort in relief by making 18 saves en route to a 3-2 win.

“That was a real gutsy road win and pretty much as consistent as a game we played all season,” Cougars Associate Coach Josh Dixon says. “We got a good start, went through some adversity as we had to kill some penalties and be in a situation we haven’t been in a lot and that’s protect a lead on the road. It was a good growing experience for our group.”

The Cougars improved to 9-14-0 on the season, good for 18 points in 23 games and fourth in the WHL B.C. Division. The Cougars welcome the Kamloops Blazers to CN Centre Saturday (Dec. 11) at 7 p.m.