The Prince George Cougars will try to end a four-game losing streak tonight in Kamloops, where they face the Victoria Royals (94.3 FM, The Goat; CHL TV).
The Cougars (4-7-1-1) have had success against the Royals (1-11-1-0), gaining five of a possible six points going head-to-head in three games against their WHL B.C. Division rivals.
That started in the Cats’ second game of the 22-game season on March 29 with a 5-2 win over Victoria in Kelowna. The Royals bit back with a 3-2 shootout victory April 6 in Kamloops and Prince George won the third meeting of the season April 16, beating the Royals 5-2 at Prospera Place in Kelowna. That was their most recent win.
Jonny Hooker leads the Cougars in scoring with five goals and four assists for nine points, followed by sophomore winger Craig Armstrong (5-3-8) and rookie winger Kyren Gronick (4-4-8). Riley Heidt, the Cougars second-overall pick in the 2020 WHL draft, has also played well in his rookie season, and with two goals and five assists he’s tied in points with veteran centre Ethan Browne (3-4-7).
On the blueline, Jack Sander (1-6-7) and Ethan Samson (0-7-7) have done their part stoking the offence.
In goal, with Tyler Brennan now playing for Canada at the IIHF World U18 Championship in Frisco, Texas, Taylor Gauthier will get most of the workload for the remaining nine games, with rookie Ty Young as the backup. The 20-year-old Gauthier has a 2-6 record so far with a 3.77 goals-against average and .888 save percentage.
Brennan played one period of Saturday’s 5-1 exhibition win over Finland and did not allow a goal while facing eight shots. Team Canada opens its tournament Tuesday (6 p.m. PT, TSN) against Sweden. All of Canada’s games will be broadcast on TSN.
