|
Friday, December 5, 2008
|
|
|
|
Temp:
|
-3°C
|
|
Feels like:
|
-10°C
|
|
Humidity:
|
91%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Cats scrap to exhibition win |
|
|
Written by JIM SWANSON
Citizen Sports Editor
|
|
Friday, 05 September 2008 |
Goaltender Kevin Armstrong of the Prince George Cougars uses his pad to block a shot by the Edmonton Oil Kings Friday night at CN Centre. (Citizen photo by David Mah)
Related Items
PRINCE GEORGE COUGARSDANA TYRELLEDMONTON OIL KINGSOIL KINGSCOUGARSKEVIN ARMSTRONGMATT CUMMINGBRETT CONNOLLYDALE HUNTJUSTIN MAYLANKITTY LITTERDALLAS THOMPSONCATSKELOWNA ROCKETSPARKER STANFIELDIAN CURTISTYLER HALLIDAY
But it still sounds better, particularly in a WHL exhibition game where players are supposed to be fighting for jobs, to call it an old-fashioned brawl.
The Prince George Cougars scrapped their way to a 5-1 victory over the visiting Edmonton Oil Kings on Friday at CN Centre. The Cougars are now 2-1 in the pre-season.
They were also 2-1 in the fights that broke out with four minutes to play in the second period. Cougars defenceman Cody Hobbs hammered former Kelowna Rockets winger Brett Breitkreuz in a slow-developing waltz, and Prince George third-year right-winger Dale Hunt fared well against Oil Kings defenceman Drew Nichol, but Cougars centre Justin Maylan, 17, couldn’t take off his one glove to truly engage Edmonton rookie Mark Pysyk.
They were the only fights, but hardly the only penalties. The clubs combined for 17 power play opportunities as both head coaches had plenty of chances to evaluate special teams play.
In and around the glove-dropping, local product Brett Connolly put on a bit of a show.
The team’s first-round pick two years ago, 10th overall, kept any nerves he might’ve had well-hidden. The 16-year-old scored two second-period goals in a frame the Cougars outshot their opponents 20-9 and built a 4-1 lead.
“He’s a special player, and he’s got some confidence - as a young player, he’s going to need that,” said Cougars general manager Dallas Thompson.
“Connolly played very well and it was good to see. He had a couple of chances in Edmonton (at last weekend’s exhibition tournament) and got an empty-net goal. That line is working pretty well.”
Maylan, with a tap-in to open the scoring, Alex Poulter and Parker Stanfield had the other Prince George goals. Stanfield added two assists for a three-point night, and Dana Tyrell, playing on a line with Connolly and Stanfield, had three assists.
Czech rookie Robin Soudek was the lone Oil King to beat Cougars netminder Kevin Armstrong, who made a number of strong saves early to allow his burdened blueliners to settle down. Edmonton’s only goal came shortly after one of many two-man advantages expired - the teams combined for five two-man chances thanks to the happy whistle of referee Ryan Agar.
“That’s the reason we got (Armstrong) here, is so he can help us in situations like that,” said Thompson. “We could’ve put ourselves in a pretty good hole early being down 5-on-3.”
The Cougars and Oil Kings meet again tonight (7 p.m.) at CN Centre. The Cats close out the exhibition season next week with a home-and-home series against the Kamloops Blazers - Thursday night at CN Centre, and Friday at the Interior Savings Centre in Kamloops.
KITTY LITTER: Scratched by the Cougars were veterans Ian Curtis, Jordie Deagle, Ryan Kowalski, Matt Cumming and Marcus Watson (leg), along with rookie Tyler Halliday and newly-acquired winger Isak Quakenbush, 18, picked up from Seattle on Wednesday for Colin Haas... Shots ended 33-32 in favour of Edmonton.
 |
|
Last Updated ( Friday, 05 September 2008 )
|
|
|
Who's Online
We have 50 guests and 4 members online
|
|
|
|
Subscribe to this comment's feed
If you want to fight join the MMI or some such...I'll pay to watch you get your butts kicked...