PRINCE GEORGE -- Chase Witala had a four-point night as the Prince George Cougars snapped a four-game losing streak with a 6-0 win over the Vancouver Giants.
The 17-year-old had a power-play goal and three assists to lead the Cougars (11-18-1-3) on Saturday in front of an announced crowd of 1,511 at CN Centre in Western Hockey League action. In two previous meetings between the B.C. division clubs this season the Giants (9-24) had recorded two wins, including a shootout victory Nov. 11.
Witala completed the Gordie Howe hat trick early in the third period when he dropped the gloves with Giants right-winger Scott Cooke.
Cougars rookie goalie Brett Zarowny had the 23-save shutout. The shutout was the 17-year-old's second career WHL shutout.
Colin Jacobs, Alex Forsberg, Zach Pochiro all had first period goals in staking the Cougars to a 4-0 advantage while Daulton Siwak scored in the dying seconds of the second period during a two-man advantage to give the home side a 5-0 lead. Siwak added his ninth goal of the season in the third period to give the Cougars a 6-0 lead.
Jacobs was credited with the Cougars first goal at the 14-second mark but it was Giants forward Cain Franson who banked the puck off goalie Liam Liston into his own net.
Liston, playing his third game since returning from injury in the Giants' net, faced xx shots and has a 1-10 record this season.
Cougars defenceman Rinalds Rosinskis is off to Ufa, Russia to play for Latvia at the World Junior Championship from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5.
The western conference foes wrap up their pre-Christmas schedules with a 4 p.m. matinee Sunday at CN Centre which is the Cougars annual Teddy Bear and toque toss game.
Western Hockey League
Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012
CN Centre
Vancouver Giants 0 Prince George Cougars 6
First period:
1. Prince George Colin Jacobs 11 :14
2. Prince George Alex Forsberg 8 (Witala, Grewal) 8:17
3. Prince George Zach Pochiro 4 (Witala, Carvalho) 11:36
4. Prince George Chase Witala 4 (Bourke, Carvalho) 17:54 pp
Penalties: Kulak VAN (holding) 2:59; McNulty PG (hooking) 4:23; Cooke VAN (unsportsmanlike conduct) 13:56; Cheek VAN (boarding) 17:11; Orban VAN (unsportsmanlike conduct), Pochiro PG (unsportsmanlike conduct) 17:11.
Second period:
5. Prince George Daulton Siwak 8 (Witala, Jacobs) 19:54 pp
Penalties: Jacobs PG (tripping) 8:52; Jacobs PG (unsportsmanlike conduct) 11:41; McNulty PG (hitting from behind) 13:05; Vannieuwenhuizen VAN (boarding) 16:20; Sward VAN (interference)18:35; Kessy VAN (unsportsmanlike conduct, 10-minute misconduct) 18:54.
Third period:
6. Prince George Daulton Siwak 9 (Gibb, Jacobs) 9:25
Penalties: Cooke VAN (instigating, fighting, 10-minute misconduct), Witala PG (roughing, fighting) 1:11; Popoff VAN (slashing) 10:04; Witala PG (interference) 10:34; Fontaine PG (kneeing) 11:38.
Shots:
Vancouver 9 8 6 23
Prince George 10 6 14 30
Goal: Vancouver Liam Liston (L 1-10), Prince George Brett Zarowny (W 7-7)
Power play: Vancouver 0/6 Prince George 2/8
Referees: Brett Iverson, Steve Papp; Justin Hall, Richie Rogers
Attendance: 1,511
