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Cougars off to quick start

So far, the Richard Matvichuk era is an unqualified success. The new head coach of the Prince George Cougars sports a 2-0 record as a Western Hockey League bench boss thanks to season-opening wins in Victoria on the weekend.
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So far, the Richard Matvichuk era is an unqualified success.

The new head coach of the Prince George Cougars sports a 2-0 record as a Western Hockey League bench boss thanks to season-opening wins in Victoria on the weekend.

On Friday, the Cougars beat the host Royals 3-1. And, the next night, they skated to a 5-1 victory.

Much of Prince George's production came from forwards Brad Morrison, Jared Bethune and Kody McDonald.

In the two games, those three players put up 13 points (two goals, 11 assists).

Morrison, fresh off workouts with the New York Rangers, contributed four assists in the Saturday game and so did Bethune.

McDonald, meanwhile, scored twice in the win. Justin Almeida, rookie defenceman Ryan Schoettler - with his first goal in his second WHL game - and Colby McAuley also found the net for the Cats.

The Cougars led 3-0 after the first period and chased Victoria starter Griffen Outhouse from the net. Outhouse was replaced by Dylan Myskiw.

The Royals connected for the only goal of the second period, by Ethan Price, but the Cougars added two more in the third and made a winner out of goalie Nick McBride.

On Friday, McAuley - on a deflection and a shot into an empty net - scored twice for the visitors. Blueliner Max Martin opened the scoring with his first-ever WHL goal.

Ty Westgard scored the only Victoria goal in a second period that was controlled by the Royals.

Ty Edmonds earned the win for the Cats and Outhouse took the loss.

Matvichuk was helped on the bench by associate coach Steve O'Rourke and interim assistant coach Trevor Sprague, both of whom secured their first WHL victories.

This is the first time since 2012-13 that the Cougars have started the season at 2-0.

The Cats will look to continue their hot start tonight at the Langley Events Centre, the new home rink of the Vancouver Giants.

The Giants began the season with a 7-3 and 3-1 weekend losses to the Everett Silvertips.