Sput
02-21-2007, 10:37 PM
from www.princegeorgecitizen.com
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Scrappy Cats get a point in Everett
by JIM SWANSON, Citizen Sports Editor
All the Prince George Cougars have done lately is serve notice.
The Cats started a four-game road trip with a 4-3 overtime loss to the Everett Silvertips, the final blow coming on Jesse Smyke’s goal 38 seconds into the extra period.
The Cougars, who have won seven of their last 11 and have earned 15 points over that span, have made life very tough on some of the WHL’s top teams since the end of January, including wins over possible first-round opponents Vancouver and Kamloops.
The resume doesn’t yet include a victory against Everett, the top-ranked team in the CHL and a club the Cougars will face in that unique two-game night next Tuesday at CN Centre.
“They put us on our heels in the first 10 minutes, and there was no question they came after us,” said Cougars head coach Drew Schoneck.
“We weathered the storm and after that we were stride for stride with them. We’re happy to get the point, but we could’ve had two points after regulation. It was two mistakes and we have to want to do things hard in our own zone. The things we’ve been preaching have to start sinking in a little bit because this time of year the margin for error is going to cost you.”
On Tuesday, the Silvertips scored early in the game, but found themselves trailing a scrappy Prince George team 3-2 heading to the third period.
Kyle Beach, who earlier in the day was cleared to play despite a suspected concussion and/or broken jaw from a fight in Chilliwack Sunday, tallied his 28th of the season 1:17 into the game. The Cougars, outshot 11-3 in the first period, got a goal from Eric Hunter, his 20th of the season, 1:16 into the second period, tying the game.
Zach Hamill restored the Silvertip lead with a power-play goal at 8:34 of the second. Devin Setoguchi’s 25th marker, an unassisted goal, put the Cougars in a 2-2 tie, and Prince George took its first lead of the night when Richard Rapac connected on a late second-period power play.
Everett got back on even terms 6:40 into the third when ex-Kamloops Blazer Moises Guitierrez, having a breakout season, connected for his 35th after a bad Rapac giveaway.
Smyke’s winner, a rebound from a point shot, came after Ty Wishart and Jesse Dudas made soft plays in their own zone.
The Cougars, now 26-26-3-4 after picking up another standings point, were outshot 40-13 as Scott Bowles, making his 11th straight start, put on a strong performance. David Reekie, spelled briefly by Leland Irving as Silvertips coach Kevin Constantine played his regular goalie shell game, made 10 saves.
“The shots on goal were very misleading, I somehow wonder how they count them in these barns,” said Schoneck.
“Scotty was fantastic again. He’s really carried the mail and gave us a chance to win.”
With the win, the Silvertips improved to 29-2-0-1 on home ice. What had the Cougars coach frustrated is that he thought his team missed a good opportunity to beat Everett in the league’s loudest building.
“This one was within our grasp, that’s the frustrating part,” said Schoneck.
The Cougars continue the trip tonight in Spokane, facing a team that swept the Cats on home ice following the Christmas break. The two teams will tangle Friday, then Prince George heads to Kamloops for a Saturday encounter.
“Spokane comes at you hard and they’re trying to catch Tri-City for second,” said Schoneck, who plans to give Real Cyr his first start since Jan. 27.
“They have a ton of speed, so we have to play smart and within ourselves.”
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Scrappy Cats get a point in Everett
by JIM SWANSON, Citizen Sports Editor
All the Prince George Cougars have done lately is serve notice.
The Cats started a four-game road trip with a 4-3 overtime loss to the Everett Silvertips, the final blow coming on Jesse Smyke’s goal 38 seconds into the extra period.
The Cougars, who have won seven of their last 11 and have earned 15 points over that span, have made life very tough on some of the WHL’s top teams since the end of January, including wins over possible first-round opponents Vancouver and Kamloops.
The resume doesn’t yet include a victory against Everett, the top-ranked team in the CHL and a club the Cougars will face in that unique two-game night next Tuesday at CN Centre.
“They put us on our heels in the first 10 minutes, and there was no question they came after us,” said Cougars head coach Drew Schoneck.
“We weathered the storm and after that we were stride for stride with them. We’re happy to get the point, but we could’ve had two points after regulation. It was two mistakes and we have to want to do things hard in our own zone. The things we’ve been preaching have to start sinking in a little bit because this time of year the margin for error is going to cost you.”
On Tuesday, the Silvertips scored early in the game, but found themselves trailing a scrappy Prince George team 3-2 heading to the third period.
Kyle Beach, who earlier in the day was cleared to play despite a suspected concussion and/or broken jaw from a fight in Chilliwack Sunday, tallied his 28th of the season 1:17 into the game. The Cougars, outshot 11-3 in the first period, got a goal from Eric Hunter, his 20th of the season, 1:16 into the second period, tying the game.
Zach Hamill restored the Silvertip lead with a power-play goal at 8:34 of the second. Devin Setoguchi’s 25th marker, an unassisted goal, put the Cougars in a 2-2 tie, and Prince George took its first lead of the night when Richard Rapac connected on a late second-period power play.
Everett got back on even terms 6:40 into the third when ex-Kamloops Blazer Moises Guitierrez, having a breakout season, connected for his 35th after a bad Rapac giveaway.
Smyke’s winner, a rebound from a point shot, came after Ty Wishart and Jesse Dudas made soft plays in their own zone.
The Cougars, now 26-26-3-4 after picking up another standings point, were outshot 40-13 as Scott Bowles, making his 11th straight start, put on a strong performance. David Reekie, spelled briefly by Leland Irving as Silvertips coach Kevin Constantine played his regular goalie shell game, made 10 saves.
“The shots on goal were very misleading, I somehow wonder how they count them in these barns,” said Schoneck.
“Scotty was fantastic again. He’s really carried the mail and gave us a chance to win.”
With the win, the Silvertips improved to 29-2-0-1 on home ice. What had the Cougars coach frustrated is that he thought his team missed a good opportunity to beat Everett in the league’s loudest building.
“This one was within our grasp, that’s the frustrating part,” said Schoneck.
The Cougars continue the trip tonight in Spokane, facing a team that swept the Cats on home ice following the Christmas break. The two teams will tangle Friday, then Prince George heads to Kamloops for a Saturday encounter.
“Spokane comes at you hard and they’re trying to catch Tri-City for second,” said Schoneck, who plans to give Real Cyr his first start since Jan. 27.
“They have a ton of speed, so we have to play smart and within ourselves.”