Goaltenders shine in Cougars overtime victory over the Royals

The Victoria Royals (35-24-4-2) traveled north for the second and final time this season to face the Prince George Cougars (23-33-4-4), beginning a set of four meetings over 10 days between these two clubs. Victoria’s previous trip this year to Prince George saw them split two games, both by one goal differences in what were close and hard fought battles between the BC Division rivals. The Royals were looking to bounce back from a loss in Kamloops the previous game and secure a playoff spot. The Cougars were looking to extend their winning streak after somewhat surprisingly winning two games versus the suddenly struggling division leader Kelowna Rockets.

The opening period set the tone for the game as both teams settled in for a close, hard-fought matchup.  In what would be a theme for the evening, the referees were busy assessing penalties, as a combined seven penalties were called in the first period, but neither team could capitalize with the man-advantage. The end of the first saw the game scoreless with shots 10-9 in favour of the Cougars.

The Royals started the second period with energy, kept the Cougars hemmed in their own zone and forced Prince George netminder Taylor Gauthier to make some big saves. Prince George was able to weather the offensive-storm and action evened out again for both teams.

Lane Zablocki and Austin Crossley dropped the gloves for a fight, a continuation of a minor-tussle in the first period, which ended with Zablocki headed the dressing-room for repairs.

Tanner Kaspick looked to catch an edge while chasing a Cougars defenseman and mowed down Gauthier like a bowling pin. Gauthier seemed stunned but was okay on the play after being sent flying by the solid Kaspick.

At the end of the second period, neither team’s power play looked very strong and despite multiple advantages it was still scoreless.  Griffen Outhouse and Gauthier both made some timely saves under pressure and they, along with the penalty-killing units, were clearly the stars of the game thus far.

The third period finally saw some scoring happen as Joel Lakusta scored from the point, sneaking a shot under Outhouse who had a lot of traffic in front.  The goal at 5:00 for Prince George was a power play marker, and the Cougars were now 1-for-8 with the advantage.

The Royals responded with their own power play goal as after some nifty passing Noah Gregor scored, just 19 seconds into the power play. With an assist on the goal, Matthew Phillips tied former Chilliwack Bruin Mark Santorelli’s franchise record for most points in a single season with 101.

Late in the game, Zablocki drove hard to the net and put the puck in while hitting Gauthier as well. The play was immediately waved off as a non-goal due to incidental contact.

Gregor was called for a double-minor for slew-footing with just 26 seconds to go in the game. The Cougars took the a big advantage but were unable to immediately capitalize and the fgame went off to extra time tied 1-1.

In the extra frame, the Cougars tried to make the most of the extended man-advantage but could not solve Outhouse. Just as the penalty to Gregor ended, the Royals had a great chance but Gauthier was also sharp. After the big save, Prince George roared down to the Royals zone and put the game away with a Ryan Schoettler goal.  Outhouse made the initial save, but a big rebound went to Schoettler who made no mistake for the winner at 4:04 of overtime to give the Cougars a 2-1 victory.

Gauthier was selected as a deserved first star, saving 32 of 33 shots. Outhouse was awarded second star, stopping 36 of 38 shots and was clutch throughout the game.

The Cougars power play went 1-for-9 and was not able to capitalize on many lengthy advantages. Victoria went 1-for-4 with the advantage and overall did not look threatening with the extra attacker.

The Cougars look to make it four wins in a row for this home-stand as both teams play again Saturday in Prince George. Victoria, who clinched a playoff spot with the single point, will look to strike early and dictate the tempo in the rematch.