Friday 8 January 2016

Recap: VIC 0 - PG 1 (Fri. Jan.08.2016)



Ty Edmonds made 41 saves and Jesse Gabrielle scored the only goal as the Prince George Cougars (25-14-1-1, 52pts) blanked the visiting Victoria Royals 1-0 Friday night.

“In a 1-0 game the bounces can go either way, and they ended up getting a bounce and winning the game.” said Head Coach Dave Lowry in his first game back from coaching Team Canada at the World Juniors in Finland,

“We had opportunities, and passed up some quality chances to put pucks in areas we probably should have directed towards the net…”

The victory pulls the Cougars into a tie with Royals (24-15-1-3, 52 pts) for 2nd in the West and BC Division, and will meet again Saturday.

Victoria netminder Griffen Outhouse was the games 2nd star stopping 37 of 38 shots.

“My defense did a really good job of letting me see pucks,” said the modest Outhouse who previously played for the Caribou Cougars, winning the Macs Midget Tournament.

“It’s an easy one to get up for, the old barn I’m playing in, lots of friends and family here – it’s a lot of fun.”

Outhouse made some highlight reel stops off of Gabrielle and a diving glove save off of Jared Bethune, both in the middle frame.

“Griffen played a very solid game, gave us a chance to win and unfortunately we didn’t get it done for him.” Said Lowry.

Gabrielle broke a scoreless draw early in the third period, banging home a rebound for his team leading 26th.

“They got a lot of second chances, their goal was off a rebound,” said Joe Hicketts in his first game back after missing 13 while playing for Canada at the World Juniors.

“I don’t think we generated enough of the those…they made it hard to get to their net.”

The Royals went 0 for 3 on the power play while shutting down both Cougar man advantages.

“We want to be a disciplined team,” said Lowry,

“When we do get opportunities on the power play – that has to be our game breaker.”

Victoria’s record against Prince George falls to 2-2-0-1.

“Tonight was a playoff atmosphere, and we just have to have a little bit more from some guys.”

The Cougars have now won back to back games, and the Royals had their streak of points in back to back games snapped.

- Marlon Martens

Victoria Royals 0 at Prince George Cougars 1 - Status: End of Game
Friday, January 8, 2016 - CN Centre - Prince George, BC

Victoria 0 0 0 - 0
Prince George 0 0 1 - 1

1st Period-
No Scoring.

Penalties-Anderson P.g (interference), 3:04; O'Brien P.g (slashing), 12:24; Bobylev Vic (roughing), 13:22; Gagnon Vic (interference), 17:15.

2nd Period-
No Scoring.

Penalties-Harrison P.g (kneeing), 14:59.

3rd Period-
1, Prince George, Gabrielle 26 (Witala, O'Brien), 1:16.

Penalties-Forsberg Vic (roughing), 4:58; Harkins P.g (cross checking), 4:58; Hicketts Vic (interference), 15:44; Gabrielle P.g (unsportsmanlike cnd.), 15:44.

Shots on Goal-
Victoria 14-15-12-41.
Prince George 10-13-15-38.

Power Play Opportunities-
Victoria 0 / 3;
Prince George 0 / 2.

Goalies-
Victoria, Outhouse 6-3-1-1 (38 shots-37 saves).
Prince George, Edmonds 13-7-1-0 (41 shots-41 saves).

A-2,717
Referees-Mike Campbell (89), Fraser Lawrence (10).
Linesmen-Nick Albinati (3), Bevan Mills (98).