Patrick Gora stopped the bleeding, but by that time the Kamloops Blazers had carved a wound too deep to save the Prince George Cougars.
They fell 6-3 to the Blazers Friday night in Kamloops in the first WHL preseason action for both teams.
Gora, a 19-year-old goalie from St. Albert, Alta., came into the game seven minutes into the second period with his team trailing 5-1 and let in one goal in the his first minute of action but barred the door the rest of the way, making 20 saves on 21 shots.
By that time the damage had been done.
The Blazers provided a rude welcome for second-year Cougar goalie Tavin Grant, peppering the 17-year-old with 21 shots in 27 minutes of playing time which produced five goals. Patrik Maier, Colin Shirley, and Deven Sideroff all found the net before Cougars rookie Kolby Johnson pounded the puck in behind Connor Ingram to get the visitors on board.
But just 48 seconds after Johnson scored, Matt Needham threaded the needle to give the Blazers a 4-1 lead after one period. Cameron Reagan scored one more on Grant before Gora came into the game. Luke Harrison padded the lead at the 7:53 mark.
Rookie defenceman Max Martin, on a Cougars' power play, and Kolby McDonald cut the lead late in the second period. There was no scoring in the third as the Blazers outshot the Cats 16-5 in the final frame and 42-19 in the game.
The Cougars plan to use more of a veteran lineup tonight when they play the Kelowna Rockets in Kelowna.
