BY FRASER RODGERS
Prince George Cougars
Taylor Gauthier turned aside all 36-shots he faced for his second career shutout, as the Prince George Cougars blanked the Tri-City Americans 1-0, Tuesday night at Toyota Center.
Ethan Browne scored the game-winner, late in the second period, as the Cougars won back-to-back games for the first time since November 14. Browne broke the scoreless deadlock with just over four-minutes remaining in the middle frame. During a four-on-four sequence, Joel Lakusta appeared to intentionally shoot the puck off the back wall, as the puck kicked back to the side of the net. Browne was there to jam it in past the Americans’ Beck Warm. It was Browne’s first goal since November 23rd.
Gauthier was named the game’s first star, as he picked up his second shutout of the season. Gauthier made several eye-popping saves, but none probably better than his third period stop on Blake Stevenson. Early in the third, Gauthier slid to his left, as he went into the splits to rob Stevenson off a backdoor tap in on the blocker-side.
Tuesday was the Cougars’ first win against the Americans this season and fourth against a U.S. Division opponent. Ethan Browne was named the game’s second star and the Americans’ Warm was third star. Cole Moberg returned to the lineup Tuesday, after missing a week with a lower-body injury. The Cougars have now won three of five games out of the Christmas break.
SCORING SUMMARY
First Period
No scoring
Second Period
Cougars [1-0] Ethan Browne (6) from Joel Lakusta and Austin Crossley 16:05
Third Period
No scoring.
GOALTENDING
Cougars- Taylor Gauthier (Win) 36/36 60:00
Americans- Beck Warm (Loss) 28/29
POWER-PLAY
Cougars- 0/2
Americans- 0/3
UP NEXT: The Cougars (14-21-1-2) conclude their three-game road trip Wednesday, as they face the Spokane Chiefs (22-13-2-2) at 7:05 pm. Fans can listen to the game on 94.3 The GOAT, or they can watch on WHL Live.