Cougars Begin Season in Style with 4-1 Win over Penticton
Published on September 19, 2026 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince George Cougars News Release
PRINCE GEORGE, BC -The Prince George Cougars opened the 2026-27 season with a 4-1 win over the Penticton Vees on Friday at the CN Centre.
Tre Peck scored twice in his WHL debut, while Lee Shurgot added a goal and two assists. Alexander Levshyn made 29 saves in the Cougars' net.
Peck opened the scoring on the power play at 8:19 of the first period, with Townes Kozicky and Shurgot drawing assists. The Cougars killed off two penalties in the period and took a 1-0 lead into the intermission.
Prince George doubled its lead 2:34 into the second when Riley Ashe sent the puck toward the net and it deflected off a Penticton player past goaltender Reyelts. Peck struck again on the power play at 11:58, finishing a cross-ice pass from Shurgot. The Vees answered at 13:01, sending the Cougars into the second intermission ahead 3-1.
Penticton pressed in the third, but Levshyn and the Cougars' penalty killers held firm. Prince George also got key blocked shots from several skaters, including Arsenii Anisimov and Corbin Vaughan. Shurgot sealed the win with an empty-net goal at 19:54. The Cougars kick off the campaign 1-0, and will look to sweep home opening rivalry weekend tomorrow at 6:00 pm at the CN Centre.
Western Hockey League Stories from September 19, 2026
- Winterhawks Beat the Silvertips in Overtime in Season Opener - Portland Winterhawks
- Cougars Fall to Vees in Rivalry Weekend Finale - Prince George Cougars
- Rockets Earn a Point in Season-Opening Overtime Loss to Giants - Kelowna Rockets
- Broncos Open 40th Anniversary Season with 5-2 Win over Prince Albert - Swift Current Broncos
- Americans Drop Shootout To Spokane In 2026-27 Season Opener - Tri-City Americans
- Vees Bounce Back with Win over Cougars - Penticton Vees
- Ossie McIntyre Buries Shootout Winner to Kick off 2026-27 Season in Style - Spokane Chiefs
- Thunderbirds Sneak out 1-0 Overtime Win over Wild to Open 2026-27 Season - Wenatchee Wild
- Simcoe Stars for Oil Kings in Opening Night Victory - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Warriors Take OT-Thriller to Open 2026/2027 Season over Blades - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Game Preview: Cougars vs. Vees - Prince George Cougars
- Game Day Hub: September 19 at Everett - Portland Winterhawks
- Game Preview: Game 2 VS Hurricanes - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Cougars Begin Season in Style with 4-1 Win over Penticton - Prince George Cougars
- Thunderbirds Sign Melnik and Polak to WHL Agreements - Seattle Thunderbirds
- Vancouver Giants Announce Opening Night Roster for 2026-27 Season - Vancouver Giants
- Scott King to Make Regular Season Debut as Head Coach - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Oil Kings Kick off Season in Red Deer against Rebels - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Tigers Open Season with 5-2 Victory over Canes - Medicine Hat Tigers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
