The Prince George Cougars learned a couple things about themselves this week in their two-game set at home against the Portland Winterhawks.
Their 3-2 win Tuesday proved they can play with an early lead and hold it, even when a seasoned opponent like the Winterhawks adds to the suspense with a determined late-game surge.
Wednesday night at CN Centre, the Cats looked a disorganized mess in the early going and fell behind 2-0 in the first 11 minutes. But they reversed the trend and dominated puck possession for much of the rest of the game and were rewarded with a 5-3 triumph -- proof they have sufficient firepower to be a dangerous team, even when their opponents draw first blood.
While their comeback Wednesday marked the first time in four games the Cougars have beaten a team this season when they've trailed at the end of the first period, they now have a 3-6-1-0 record when their opponent scores first. And don't get them started. The Cats are 12-3-0-1 when they open the scoring and a perfect 12-0-0-0 when they carry a lead into the third period. In games in which they score four or more goals, the Cougars are 11-0-0-0
They will be hard-pressed to score frequently tonight in Everett (7:35 p.m. start, 94.3 FM The Goat) against the Silvertips (14-8-0-2, sixth in Western Conference), who will likely have Carter Hart, the WHL's Vaughn goaltender of the month for November, between the pipes.
Hart was virtually unbeatable the past month. In 12 games, the 17-year-old from Sherwood Park, Alta., compiled a 9-2-0-1 record with a 1.16 goals-against average, .951 save percentage and four shutouts. He already has six shutouts this season playing for an Everett team which has averaged an even two goals allowed per game, best in the 22-team WHL.
The Cougars (15-9-1-1, fourth in Western Conference) can take comfort in the fact they are one of only two teams to score five goals against Everett in a game this season (Portland did it as well). That happened in Prince George in the second game of the season, a 5-1 Cougars' win in which Hart was yanked to the bench after 40 minutes. The Cougars, who lost their season opener 2-0 to the Silvertips and were defeated 2-1 in overtime in Everett Nov. 6, can even the season series with a win tonight.
The Cougars are no slouches in the defence department this season, allowing an average 2.88 goals against through 26 games. Goaltenders Ty Edmonds and Nick McBride have been getting the job done, giving head coach Mark Holick an option in net when he figures one of his two goalies is not sharp, like he showed Wednesday when he pulled out McBride in the second period after Portland's third goal. Edmonds came in cold and stopped all 15 Winterhawks shots he faced in 36:15 of game action in his second game back after missing two weeks with a hamstring injury.
"We had a bit of rough start but we bounced back well and it shows some good character coming back from adversity and that's a very positive sign for our club," said Edmonds. "We played to our strengths and went out and played a smart team game. I felt bad for Nick, it happens to all of us, and you have to feel sympathy, but at the same time you've got to go out there and play and do what you need to for the team. I felt I did that and the team played awesome in front of me.
"Nick is a well-proven goalie and it's nice to have a capable backup -- this was the first time I've had to go in all season (in a relief role) and that's a change for me. It's not fun, it's hard to do and it's easy to get injured or blow some confidence. But Nick's been great and Mack (Shields), when he was here, was great too and that definitely helps."
The Cougars' defence has been doing its job. The leadership of Tate Olson, Joseph Cavalho, Sam Ruopp and Josh Anderson has been wearing off on less-experienced blueliners Shane Collins, Luka Zorko and Joel Lakusta, and it shows. The Cougars are quicker on their defensive zone breakouts and making far fewer mistakes in their own end than in seasons past.
The Cougars are 7-2-0-1 in their last 10 games and just six points now separates them from the Victoria Royals, the second-ranked Western Conference team, with the Cats holding two games in hand. But Holick says he's not looking beyond their task tonight in Everett.
"We're concerned about our next game and we aren't worried about anything else except just getting better and continue trying to improve our hockey club and improve our culture and continue to battle and compete," said Holick.
"We're trying to get this team going where they believe they can win every night and I think that's happening. I'm proud of the fact our guys easily could have gone in the other direction (when they fell behind Wednesday's game) but they chose to dug their heels in and fought for the win and they got it."
The Cougars now sport an 11-3-0-1 home record. As the Winterhawks were reminded, CN Centre is becoming more of a house of pain for visiting teams.
"When teams come up here it's long drive and it used to be a freebie for four points and now, with more people coming out and the building being packed and a little bit different mindset with our group, it's not an easy point anymore," said Holick. "We're proud of our city and proud of where we're from and we want to make that 4 1/2 hours from Cache Creek real nervous for teams."
The Cougars also play Sunday night in Vancouver against the Giants (7-16-2-2, 10th in Western Conference), who are at home tonight against Kootenay.
