The Prince George Cougars found a new way to win Saturday night in Kennewick, Wash.
Charles Inglis gave the Cats their first shootout victory of the season, a 4-3 decision, when he put the puck past Tri-City Americans goalie Drew Owsley.
The win improved the Cougars' record to 9-6-1-0 as they took sole possession of second place in the WHL B.C. Division, three points behind the first-place Vancouver Giants. Tri-City (11-4-1-1) remained second in the U.S. Division. The Cougars hadn't won in Kennewick's Toyota Center since Nov. 2, 2003, a drought that had lasted 13 games and nearly seven years.
"We're happy with our start, we've won blowouts, we've won one-goal games, so we've done it a lot of different ways and that's a credit to what (coaches) Dean (Clark) and Jason (Becker) have done with the guys," said Cougars general manager Dallas Thompson.
"Out guys have a very business-like attitude and they've worked hard."
Cougars defenceman Sena Acolatse and Americans' Adam Hughesman each scored in the first shootout round and it came down to Inglis, who scored in the fourth round. Ty Rimmer ended the game with a save off Jordan Messier.
The Cougars have been getting consistent point production from three of their four forward lines this season. Defenceman Martin Marincin opened the scoring and forwards Brock Hirsche and Spencer Asuchak also scored Saturday. Messier, with two goals and an assist, and Justin Feser, were the Tri-City goalscorers.
Brett Connolly had his consecutive points streak stopped at 14 games in Friday's 2-0 win over the Seattle Thunderbirds and was also held off the scoresheet Saturday. The Cougars' captain is still in the top 10 in WHL scoring, leading the team with 22 points, 14 of them goals.
Rimmer made 28 saves leading up to the shootout for his second win of the season.
"It's always harder on the road and he had to be there in key situation to get the shutout in Seattle and he battled really hard against Tri-City, a very offensive team, in their own building," said Thompson. "We wanted him to come in and push (starting goalie James Priestner) and he's certainly done that. James came in and there were some questions about him with everything that happened (Priestner quit hockey last season) but he's worked very hard and got us to where we are and I'm happy for both of them."
The Cougars got out of the weekend healthy. Cougars forward Jaroslav Vlach (broken thumb) and Taylor Makin (broken collar bone) remain on the shelf and won't play in Kelowna.
