Jesse Forsberg believes it's just a matter of time before the Prince George Cougars score a goal.
"We're getting better every game," said the Cougars' captain. "There's nothing to be worried about."
The Cougars dropped a pair of 1-0 games on the weekend to their WHL Western Conference rival, the Tri City Americans, extending a winless streak to five games and a goal-less drought to 203:59. Jake Mykitiuk was the last Cougar to light the red lamp on Oct. 12 in Swift Current in a 5-4 loss to the Broncos. The rookie tied the game at 4-4 at the 16:01 mark of the second period.
The team was also shutout by the Kamloops Blazers 3-0 on Oct. 15 and in Moose Jaw 6-0 on Thanksgiving Day.
Prince George hasn't had Charles Inglis in the lineup since Oct. 1 when he received a 10-game suspension for a check to the head of the Victoria Royals' defenceman Tyler Stahl. Last season, Inglis had 60 points (32 goals), while Brett Connolly - in the NHL with the Tampa Bay Lightning where he's picked up two assists in eight games - tallied 73 points (46 goals).
"It would be nice to have those guys in the lineup, but you can't sit and wait for guys to come back," said Forsberg. "We've got the tools right now to do well. It just comes down to doing the small things. We're very close. We've got some young guys here that are just getting their feet wet."
Inglis will return to the Cougars' lineup Friday when the Vancouver Giants visit the CN Centre for the first of two weekend games, but he'll miss the Cougars two-game trip to Vancouver and Kelowna on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
Cougars' rookie Jordan Tkatch had a four-game goal scoring streak before the loss in Moose Jaw, but sat out of the weekend games with a lower-body injury.
After firing only 17 shots at Americans' rookie goalie Eric Comrie in Friday's loss, the Cougars played their best hockey of the weekend during the final 40 minutes of Saturday's contest. Comrie's best stop came late in the second period when he slid across his crease to rob Cougars' rookie Alex Forsberg of a wide open net.
"That's how close we are - we're inches from getting goals," said Jesse Forsberg, 18, playing his first two games of the season after off-season surgery on his right shoulder. "It's obviously tough to watch that one get saved."
Comrie made 30 saves for his second career shutout in the WHL.
"Our team did a great job of helping me out so much - they blocked so many shots, our [penalty kill] was outstanding," said Comrie, 16. "It was a whole team effort."
Drew Owsley was no slouch in the Cougars' net, facing his former team for the first time, stopping a combined 55 shots the Americans fired his way. The 20 year old was especially sharp Friday, making several big saves to keep the Cougars in the game.
"He doesn't deserve to lose," said Forsberg. "He's been playing outstanding for us. We need to win some games for him and get some goals."
The only Americans to beat Owsley were Adam Hughesman on Friday for his 12th goal of the season on a two-man power play. Nathan MacMaster was credited with his first WHL goal Saturday after the puck bounced in off Owsley's leg.
The Cougars (3-8-0-1) will try to halt their five-game losing skid Tuesday in Vancouver against the Giants (6-6) and Wednesday in Kelowna versus the Rockets (4-7-1). Tri City improved to 10-4.
Forsberg said as captain he knows it's his job to inspire his Cougars teammates.
"I just want to do such a good job here and lead the team to great things," said Forsberg. "It's tough losing right now and as the leader, I've got to step up and lead the guys to some wins."
