The short-staffed Prince George Cougars started the new Western Hockey League season with a win on Friday night at Save On Foods Memorial Centre.
The Cougars beat to the host Victoria Royals 3-1.
Prince George goal-scorers in the game were left-winger Colby McAuley who netted two goals and defenceman Max Martin, who started off the scoring 6:53 into the first period. Victoria responded with a marker by Ty Westgard.
The Cougars played the game with six regulars out of their lineup. Players away at NHL camps are forwards Jansen Harkins (Winnipeg Jets), Jesse Gabrielle (Boston Bruins) and Brogan O'Brien (Colorado Avalanche), and defencemen Sam Ruopp (Columbus Blue Jackets), Tate Olson (Vancouver Canucks) and Josh Anderson (Colorado Avalanche).
Forwards Brad Morrison and Kody McDonald were back with the Cougars after being returned to junior hockey by their NHL teams. Morrison was at camp with the New York Rangers, while McDonald earned himself a look from the New York Islanders.
The Royals, a B.C. Division rival, were missing four of their top players. Victoria skaters still trying to crack NHL rosters are forward Jack Walker (Toronto Maple Leafs), forward Tyler Soy (Anaheim Ducks), forward Matthew Phillips (Calgary Flames) and defenceman Chaz Reddekopp (Los Angeles Kings).
Friday's game was the first behind the bench for new Cougars head coach Richard Matvichuk, who signed a three-year contract with the team on June 2.
The Cats will face the Royals again tonight and will then play games in Vancouver (Tuesday) and Kelowna (Wednesday) before they skate in their home-opener next Friday against Kelowna.
See WHL team-by-team previews online at www.pgcitizen.ca/sports.
