The Prince George Cougars snapped their four-game winless streak with a 5-3 win over the Victoria Royals in their Un-Teddy Bear Toss game, Sunday at the CN Centre. Vladislav Mikhalchuk scored twice, including the Un-Teddy Bear Toss goal in the first period. It was a big first period for the Cougars, who scored three goals on 13 shots. Rhett Rhinehart, Josh Maser and Ilijah Colina also scored for the Cougars, who won their final home game of December.
GAME NOTES
SPREADING THE WEALTH: Colina,Maser, Mikhalchuk and Rhinehart all had multi-point games. Colina has two goals and five points in his last two games after going goalless in his previous 14 games. Maser and Mikhalchuk are tied for the team goal-scoring lead, as each now has eight goals. Before Sunday, the Cougars had scored just four goals in their previous four losses.
QUALITY IMPORT: Vladislav Mikhalchuk has four goals in his last four games, after scoring only four in his previous 24 games. The Belarusian leads the Cougars in scoring with 21 points in 28 games. He’s on pace to pass his goal (14), assists (19) and point totals (33) from last season.
UP NEXT:The Cougars (11-14-1-2) hit the road for five-straight before the Christmas break. The road trip starts in Portland for a weekend double-header starting on Friday, December 7. The two teams play again on Saturday, December 8. Then it’s stops in Seattle, Victoria and Vancouver. All five games will be broadcasted on 94.3 The GOAT.
GAME SUMMARY
Boxscore- http://whl.ca/gamecentre/1015887/boxscore
SCORING
Cougars– Vladislav Mikhalchuk (2 G), Ilijah Colina (1 G, 2 A), Josh Maser (1 G, 2 A), Rhett Rhinehart (1 G, 1 A), Ethan Browne (1 A), Austin Crossley (1 A), Joel Lakusta (1 A), Jackson Leppard (1 A), Ryan Schoettler (1 A).
Royals-Tarun Fizer (1 G, 1 A), Dante Hannoun (1 G), Matthew Smith (1 G), D-Jay Jerome (1 A), Jameson Murray (1 A), Tanner Sidaway (1 A).
GOALTENDING
Cougars- Taylor Gauthier (Win) 21/24 60:00
Royals- Brock Gould (Loss) 19/24 59:03
POWER-PLAY
Cougars- 1/4
Royals- 1/3
THREE STARS: 1) Vladislav Mikhalchuk 2) Josh Maser 3) Ilijah Colina
-PG Cougars