Cougars Edged by Oil Kings

January 27, 2019 - Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince George Cougars News Release

EDMONTON, AB- The Prince George Cougars are leaving Alberta without a win, after their 2-1 setback against the Edmonton Oil Kings on Sunday afternoon. The Cougars lost all three games on the Central Division road trip over the weekend, and are winless in the last seven games.

Vladislav Mikhalchuk scored on a power-play in the first period to give the Cougars a lead through the opening 20-minutes, but the Oil Kings scored a pair of goals in the second period, both from Conner McDonald, to pull ahead for good.

Taylor Gauthier turned aside 30 of 32 shots in the Cougars' crease. The Cougars' power-play manufactured one goal on two opportunities. Todd Scott stopped 27-shots in the Oil Kings' net and the Edmonton power-play went 1-4 on the afternoon.

Mikhalchuk opened the scoring from nearly the goal line, as he went upstairs on the glove-side of Scott at 9:51 of the first period. That lead held up until nearly the seven-minute mark of the second period.

McDonald tied the game for Edmonton a solo rush down the right-wing. The Oil Kings' defenceman streaked down the right, before squeezing a shot through Gauthier's arm. McDonald then put the Oil Kings ahead two-minutes later, scoring a power-play goal at 8:55, which stood up to be the game-winner. McDonald fired a one-timer from the blue-line that went grazed the post before going in over Gauthier's shoulder.

The Cougars have lost their last four on the road. Josh Maser returned to the Cougars' line up Sunday, after missing the previous three games due to a suspension.

SCORING SUMMARY

First Period

Cougars [1-0] Vladislav Mikhalchuk (17) from Joel Lakusta and Ryan Schoettler 9:51 PP

Second Period

Oil Kings [1-1] Conner McDonald (11) 6:48

Oil Kings [2-1] Conner McDonald (12) from Quinn Benjafield and Vladimir Alistrov 8:55 PP GWG

Third Period

No Scoring.

*GWG= game-winning goal PP= power-play goal

GOALTENDING

Cougars- Taylor Gauthier (Loss) 30/32 59:20

Oil Kings- Todd Scott (won 27/28 60:00

POWER-PLAY

Cougars- 1/2

Oil Kings- 1/4

UP NEXT: The Cougars (16-27-3-2) continue their five-game stretch on the road next Friday, February 1st, against the Kamloops Blazers. The Cougars return home February 5th & 6th against the Vancouver Giants.

Prince George Cougars goaltender Taylor Gauthier against the Edmonton Oil Kings (Taylor Gauthier)

Western Hockey League Stories from January 27, 2019

• Giants Erase 3-0 Deficit But Fall 4-3 in Shootout to Kelowna - Vancouver Giants
• Cougars Edged by Oil Kings - Prince George Cougars
• Rockets Take down Giants in OT - Kelowna Rockets
• Quick Goals Pace Hitmen to 4-1 Victory - Calgary Hitmen
• Calgary Hitmen Game Preview - Sunday, January 27 vs. Kootenay - Calgary Hitmen
• Byram's Late Goal Lifts Giants to Eighth Straight Win - Vancouver Giants
• Andrusiak Hat Trick Paces Silvertips to 9-1 Win - Everett Silvertips
• Royals Outlasted by Blazers in Shootout - Victoria Royals
• Historic I-5 Rivalry Night Ends in Winterhawks Overtime Win - Portland Winterhawks
• Late Power Play Marker Downs Rockets - Kelowna Rockets
• T-Birds Earn Point with Comeback But Fall to Winterhawks in Overtime - Seattle Thunderbirds
• Cougars Felled by Rebels - Prince George Cougars

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