T-Birds, Kozun silence Cougars | WHL

For the Reporter

The Seattle Thunderbirds shut out the Prince George Cougars 3-0 Saturday night at the CN Centre in Prince George, British Columbia.

Seattle goalie Taran Kozun made five saves in the first period, four saves in the second period and 11 saves in the third period to get the shutout. Kozun is now 22-14-3-3 on the season. It was Kozun’s second shutout of the season. He blanked the Spokane Chiefs 2-0 on January 25 in Spokane.

This was the second of back-to-back games in Prince George for the T-Birds. The T-Birds won 9-2 Friday night to outscore the Cougars 12-2 in the two games.

Shea Theodore had an assist on T-Birds third goal to move to within one point of tying the T-Birds record for most career points by a defenseman. Theodore has 53 goals and 133 assists for 186 points in four seasons. Craig Channell has the franchise record for points with 187 points on 21 goals and 166 assists over three seasons with the Seattle Breakers. Channell played with the Breakers from 1979 to 1982.

The T-Birds next game is Friday, Feb. 6, against the Portland Winterhawks at ShoWare Center at 7:35 p.m.

Seattle (25-19-3-3) took a 1-0 lead at 10:10 of the first period. Nolan Volcan sent the puck behind the Prince George goal to Donovan Neuls. Neuls came out from behind the net at the left post and found Calvin Spencer in the left circle. Spencer beat Cougars’ goalie Patrick Gora over the blocker with a wrist shot. Spencer had a goal against Prince George on Friday night.

The T-Birds outshot the Cougars 8-5 in the first period.

Ryan Gropp scored 15 seconds into the second period to make it a 2-0 lead for the T-Birds. Gropp sent the puck down the left wing boards where Keegan Kolesar tapped it behind the Prince George net. Gropp chased the puck and wrapped it around at the right post and past Gora for his 20th goal of the season.

Gropp’s goal was the fasted goal by a T-Bird to open a period this season.

Seattle scored on the power play at 10:40 of the second to extend the lead to 3-0. Mathew Barzal had puck along the left boards. He made a cross-ice pass to Theodore in the right circle. Theodore centered the puck to Cory Millette in front of Gora. Millette banged the puck past Gora who went down thinking Theodore was going to shoot.

Seattle outshot Prince George 12-4 in the second period and led 20-9 in shots after two periods. The T-Birds outshot the Cougars 22-20 in the game.

Gora made 19 saves on 22 shots and his record is now 0-4-0-0. Prince George is 20-31-1-1 on the season.

SCORING SUMMARY

First period – 1, Seattle, Spencer 2 (Neuls, Volcan), 10:10. Penalties – No penalties.

Second period – 2, Seattle, Gropp 20 (Kolesar), :15. 3, Seattle, Millette 13 (Theodore, Barzal), 10:40 (pp). Penalties – Carvalho, PG (tripping), 9:11. Spencer, Sea (checking to the head), 11:28. Morrison, PG (hooking), 15:43. Millette, Sea (tripping), 16:17.

Third period – No scoring. Penalties – Soltes, PG (tripping), 2:30. Spencer, Sea (high-sticking), 11:09. Morrison, PG (tripping), 18:01. Millette, Sea (cross checking, 10-minute misconduct), 19:33.

Shots on goal – Seattle 7-12-3 22, Prince George 5-4-11 20. Goalies – Seattle, Kozun 20 shots-20 saves (22-14-3-3); Prince George, Gora 22-19 (0-4-0-0). Power plays – Seattle 1-4; Prince George 0-4. A – 2,621. Referees – Brett Iverson, Fraser Lawrence. Linesmen – Ryan Gibbons, Tom Henetiuk.