Cougars flex their muscles in victory over Giants, Craig Armstrong scores four

Colorado Avalanche prospect Trent Miner got the start in the crease for Vancouver.

Some back and forth action in the early-goings of the first period, but it would be Craig Armstrong opening the scoring after being fed the puck by Kyren Gronick with a centering pass. The tally came exactly 13 minutes into the period.

The goal marked the first time Prince George scored first in a game.

Prince George went into the dressing room holding the 1-0 lead after the opening 20 minutes. The Cats also held the lead in the shots department 11-9.

Into the second period, Armstrong found a way to keep his stick hot during the intermission. The 17-year-old sped in past the Giants defence along the boards before sniping the puck past Miner to give the Cats the cushion of a 2-0 lead.

Not done yet, Armstrong completed the natural hat trick at the 9:48 mark of the middle period. The Airdrie, Alberta native tipped a shot from Hudson Thornton, further extending the Cats lead.

During the 2019-20 season, Armstrong was in his rookie season as a member of the Cougars and registered just one goal in 62 games. Through seven games this season, the forward has four goals to his credit.

While Armstrong was taking care of the offensive side of things for the Cats, Taylor Gauthier was doing his best to take care of the flip side of the scoreboard. Through two periods, the 20-year-old turned away all 25 shots the Giants put his way.

However, the Giants would solve Gauthier in the opening minutes of the third period. Tristen Nielsen powered his way into the offensive zone, beating the Cats’ D, before beating the Cougars’ goaltender to shake the goose egg off of the scoreboard. The goal marked Neilsen’s team-leading eighth of the season.

Following the goal, the Giants continued the shift into another gear. Midway through the period, Vancouver was outshooting the Cougars 10-1, but Gauthier stood tall in an effort to seal up the victory for his team.

And that he would as the minutes ticked away, leading to the Giants opting for the extra skater, leading to Craig Armstrong’s fourth goal of the game to seal the 4-1 victory for the Cougars.

Gauthier stopped 37 of the 38 shots he faced. Rookie Riley Heidt added two assists being paired up on a line with Armstrong and Gronick.

With back-to-back wins, the Cougars move above .500 for the first time this season.

Up next for the Cougars, they’ll take on the Kamloops Blazers on Wednesday, April 14 at the Sandman Centre. PG hasn’t defeated Kamloops since Nov. 22, 2019. The Blazers have won seven straight since.

The puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

by Ethan Ready

Cougars flex their muscles in victory over Giants, Craig Armstrong scores four

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