Game Preview | Cougars vs. Vees | 09/19/26
PRINCE GEORGE, BC – The Prince George Cougars conclude Home Opening Rivalry Weekend tonight when they host the Penticton Vees at the CN Centre at 6:00 p.m.
The Cats kicked off the season with a 4-1 win over the Vees last night. Tre Peck scored twice, Lee Shurgot recorded three points, and Alexander Levshyn made 29 saves. Home Opening Rivalry Weekend is presented by the University of Northern British Columbia.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:
THE MATCHUP:
Cougars 2026-27 Regular Season Record: 1-0-0-0
Vees 2026-27 Regular Season Record: 0-1-0-0
Season Series: PG leads the season series 1-0-0-0.
WHO TO WATCH:
COUGARS:
#23 Lee Shurgot – Shurgot enters tonight after a terrific performance in the season opener. The veteran Cougars forward contributed a goal and two assists in the 4-1 win over the Vees. With those two assists, Shurgot reached 50 career assists. In 2025-26, the Cougars centreman recorded 37 points in 68 games.
#15 Corbin Vaughan – Vaughan was a steady force on the back end for the Cougars in last night’s 4-1 win. The veteran defenceman from Merritt, BC, contributed in several areas, including on the penalty kill, where he blocked multiple shots. Vaughan is also coming off his best offensive season, having recorded 19 points in 61 games in 2025-26.
VEES:
#7 Tyden Bergeson – The first-year Vees forward played his first WHL game last night and found the back of the net. The Minnesota-born forward put up impressive numbers for Moorhead High in Minnesota high school hockey, collecting 81 points in 31 games.
#23 Eli Johnson – Johnson is in his second WHL season and his first with the Vees. Originally drafted by the Prince George Cougars, he was dealt to Penticton early last season. Before the trade, Johnson recorded six assists.
COACHES CORNER:
“It was nothing better to win the first game. You look at a lot of the Young guys who played their first games in the league and, honestly, didn’t see much in the way of nerves. You look at the back end with Reschny and Popowich, they looked like they are going to be really good players for us.” — GM & Head Coach Mark Lamb
“We pride ourselves on being a hard team to play against and this team seems like it has all of those characteristics.” — GM & Head Coach Mark Lamb
TONIGHT’S DETAILS:
Puck Drop: 6:00 pm
Opponent: Penticton Vees
Venue: CN Centre
Radio: 94.3 The Goat
Tickets: HERE
