After starting the WHL preseason with a pair of losses at the hands of the Edmonton Oil Kings, the Prince George Cougars will try to rediscover their winning ways when they visit the Kamloops Blazers on Friday.
The Oil Kings beat them 6-3 Saturday and 6-2 in the rematch Sunday afternoon in Edson, Alta.
On Sunday, John Szabo, with three goals, and Matthew Gallant, who fired a pair, stoked the Edmonton offence.
Lee Shurgot, who played 20 games with the BC Division-champion Cougars in 2023-24, and rookie defenceman Ryan Richter, replied for the Cougars.
Richter, a 16-year-old from Smithers who skated last season for the Burnaby Winter Club U-18s, just signed with the Cougars Sept. 6
The Oil Kings outshot the Cats 41-29.
Rookie netminder Brady Holtvogt played goal for the Cougars in for both games. The Cougars were outshot 51-25 in Saturday’s game.
Joshua Ravensbergen, 17, who quickly established himself last season as an NHL prospect in his first WHL season with the Cats, has yet to see any game action in the preseason.
The Cougars and Blazers also meet Saturday in Quesnel at West Fraser Arena.
The Cougars are getting set to begin their 31st season on Prince George and will raise the BC Division and Western Conference regular season champion banners to the CN Centre rafters on Friday, Sept. 20, when open against the Spokane Chiefs.
