There’s not likely a better feeling than scoring your first Western Hockey League (WHL) goal and it turns out to be the game-winner.
That’s how Craig Armstrong May have felt Friday night (Jan. 17) in the Prince George Cougars’ final tilt on its extended road trip through the East Division as he lit his first major junior lamp in the second period, ultimately lifting his team to a 3-2 win over the Moose Jaw Warriors.
.@PGCougars Craig Armstrong with his first WHL goal puts Prince George up 3-1. pic.twitter.com/EUaXzjWs0X
— Ben Dooley (@BenTDooley) January 18, 2020
Armstrong has started in all 43 games for the Cougars in the 2019-20 campaign and now has seven points that includes six assists.
Fellow Prince George rookie Tyler Brennan earned his fourth win in his 11th start between the pipes, making 28 saves on 30 shots.
Cole Moberg nabbed a team-high two points in the win, his first multi-point performance since Nov. 8.
The Cats led 2-0 after the opening period on goals by Mitch Kohner and Moberg.
Kohner broke a 16-game goalless drought 2:14 into the contest for his sixth of the season, getting help from Jack Sander and Tyson Upper.
Moberg doubled the visiting team’s lead with five minutes left in the frame for his sixth goal of the season and his first of the 2020 calendar year with assists from Ryan Schoettler and Ethan Browne.
Moose Jaw cut the deficit to 2-1 over eight minutes into the middle stanza, but Armstrong regained the one-goal lead at the 11:42 mark.
The 16-year-old kept the puck on ice and put it past Warriors netminder Boston Bilous’ blocker side after Moberg’s wrist shot from the point bounced in front for a rebound.
Moberg and Blake Eastman were credited with the assist on Armstrong’s tally.
With 1:44 left in the second period, Moose Jaw pushed back to keep themselves in the contest to make it a 3-2 score after 40 minutes.
The Warriors pressured in the final period of regulations, but Brennan stood his ground by stopping all eight shots en route to the 3-2 win.
Come back home with a big road win. pic.twitter.com/bAmKjlaPfp
— PG Cougars (@PGCougars) January 18, 2020
Prince George wrapped up its six-game prairie swing with a 500-record of 2-2-1-1.
They now begin a six-game homestand next weekend with a Friday-Saturday (Jan. 24-25) doubleheader against the Kamloops Blazers.
Saturday’s contest is Vegas Night; both games start at 7 p.m.
