All Photos Courtesy Gord Rufh @grufh
“The Cougars convert very effectively, they don’t need many chances to (score)…” – Royals HC/GM Dan Price.
Zac Funk scored twice and added an assist, and Tyler Brennan made 25 saves as the visiting Prince George Cougars defeated the Victoria Royals 8-3 Friday night.
The Cougars held period leads of 3-2, and 6-3 before adding the only 2 in the third.
“We have to make sure that they’re not getting those high danger looks.” added Price.
With the loss, coupled by a Rockets win, the Royals were officially eliminated from post season contention.
“Our mindset is to learn, improve, and also we have a job to do – which is win hockey games.”
Prince George chased netminder Braden Holt after allowing 3 goals on 13 shots, replaced by Nicholas Cristiano who gave up 4 on 16 attempts.
Victoria got goals from Teydon Trembecky to open the scoring, as well as Riley Gannon and defenseman Nate Misskey.
The Royals saw the return of physical forward Reggie Newman from injury and was noticeable all night, adding an assist.
Still without leading scorer Jake Poole, who’s missed 11 of the last 12, Victoria has only won once in his absence. The club again had 5 regulars out due to injury or suspension.
Prince George also had two goals each from Ondrej Becher, and Cayden Glover. 6 others had two point nights.
Neither club could strike with the man advantage. The Royals were 0 for 3, while twice shutting down the red hot Cougars power play.
Prince George remains 4th in the West, and have won back to back games, and 8 of their last 10.
The Cougars are also 6-0 in the season series, with one win in overtime.
15 year old Defenceman Jerrett Ross made his WHL debut for Victoria, while a second affiliate, forward Deegan Kinniburgh also played.
The rematch goes Saturday night at 6:05pm.
“We have to limit their high danger chances, especially around our net. We have to convert in those high danger area, we had a bunch we didn’t convert.
“That usually means getting in front of the goalie more, hanging around in that area for rebounds.” mentioned Price on what they need to do better in the rematch.
– Marlon Martens
Prince George Cougars 8 at Victoria Royals 3 – Status: Final
Friday, March 10, 2023 – Save-On-Foods Memorial Arena – Victoria, BC
Prince George 3 3 2 – 8
Victoria 2 1 0 – 3
1st Period-
1, Victoria, Trembecky 11 (Dereniwsky, Zemlak), 7:15.
2, Prince George, Funk 20 (Samson, Wiebe), 8:28.
3, Prince George, Ziemmer 34 (McNutt, Wheatcroft), 9:14.
4, Prince George, Becher 15 (Kmec, Dowhaniuk), 13:02.
5, Victoria, Gannon 16 (Parker, Schuurman), 13:53.
Penalties-Spizawka Vic (roughing), 10:37; Dumanski Pg (major-fighting), 13:46; Newman Vic (major-fighting), 13:46; Dowhaniuk Pg (holding), 16:34.
2nd Period-
6, Prince George, Glover 4 3:16.
7, Prince George, Funk 21 (O’Brien, Brown), 9:31.
8, Victoria, Misskey 3 (Newman, Spizawka), 11:19.
9, Prince George, Wheatcroft 43 (Ziemmer, Heidt), 17:22.
Penalties-No Penalties
3rd Period-
10, Prince George, Becher 16 (Wiebe, Funk), 18:38 (EN).
11, Prince George, Glover 5 (Brown, Dumanski), 19:22.
Penalties-Zemlak Vic (interference), 1:39; McNutt Pg (hooking), 5:44; Thornton Pg (roughing), 9:06.
Shots on Goal-
Prince George 14-8-8-30.
Victoria 13-6-9-28.
Power Play Opportunities-
Prince George 0 / 2;
Victoria 0 / 3.
Goalies-
Prince George, Brennan 18-10-2-0 (28 shots-25 saves).
Victoria, Holt 21-23-4-1 (13 shots-10 saves); Cristiano 4-14-0-0 (16 shots-12 saves).
A-3,609
Referees-Mike Langin (67), Steve Papp (17).
Linesmen-Jack McNabb (144), Nathan Van Oosten (115).
