Josh Ravensbergen stole one for the Prince George Cougars.
That’s a trait usually reserved for the better ones at the netminding craft, where they are so good at what they do on a given night it enables their team to grab a victory they probably didn’t deserve.
That’s exactly what Ravensbergen did Saturday night in Victoria, stopping 37 of 38 shots for a 2-1 victory.
He made 19 saves in the first period alone, giving the Cougars a chance to awake from their slumber, which they did, allowing them to complete a weekend doubleheader Royals flush.
Down 1-0, the Cougars tied it up 5:45 into the second period, a breakaway goal from Hunter Laing, his 10th of the season.
A few minutes later, Aiden Foster, playing in his 100th WHL game, had just returned to the ice from the penalty box when he took a pass from Carson Carels and the Cougar centre finished off a right wing rush by wiring a high shot into the net behind Jayden Kraus.
Carels, the Cougars’ rookie defenceman, picked up two assists and was named the game’s third star.
Outshot 20-5 in the opening period, that was the most shots the Cougars have allowed in one period this season. Teydon Trembecky, with his 15th of the season, put the Royals ahead 5:13 in.
The Cougars survived a late power play 17:18 into the third that allowed the Royals skate 6-on-4 for nearly two minutes, but they could not beat Ravensbergen, whose teammates held the Royals to only a couple dangerous chances down the stretch.
The Cougars are spending the night in Victoria before they board the ferry to take them to Kent, Wash., where they’ll play the Seattle Thunderbirds Tuesday night.
They’ll host the T-birds Jan. 3-4 at CN Centre.
