RECAP: Mateychuk, Emesibe Score 1st WHL Goals in Win Over Cougars

Category: ArticleSeptember 27, 2026

STORY BY QUINN TAYLOR

Langley, B.C. – The Vancouver Giants defeated the Prince George Cougars 4-2 in the second game of a back-to-back on Sunday evening at Langley Events Centre.

The Giants came out flying, scoring three times in the opening frame, thanks to goals from Crosby Mateychuk, Derek Thurston and Mathis Preston.

Prince George scored shorthanded halfway through the second period to make it 3-1, but Dennis Emesibe potted home his first career WHL goal to give the Giants their three-goal lead back.

Prince George scored the only goal in the third, making the final score 4-2.

CLICK FOR THE OFFICIAL WHL BOXSCORE | CLICK FOR STANDINGS

GAME SUMMARY

After receiving a pass from Preston in the neutral zone, Mateychuk completed a give and go with Brett Olson to open the scoring 9:19 into the first period.

That's not Sidney Crosby. That's Crosby Mateychuk pic.twitter.com/HaQsds6VEJ

— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) September 27, 2026

During a 5 on 3 13:36 into the first period Giants captain Thurston, snapped in a loose puck in front of the net to give the Giants a 2-0 lead. Assists came from Sam Charko and Kaleb Hartmann.

Captain Thurst first of the year pic.twitter.com/2CVo8m6Js3

— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) September 27, 2026

On the Giants fourth power play of the first period, Preston one timed a beautiful backhand pass from Tobias Tomik for Prestons first of the season and Giants third of the game.

For all the Ducks fans out there pic.twitter.com/CeI97mhTAS

— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) September 28, 2026

In the second period, the Giants had a power play that didn’t go their way, giving up a shorthanded goal to Prince Georges’ Aiden Foster.

The Giants responded quickly however, with a goal from Emesibe, off a pass from Joe Iginla ,with 1:24 remaining in the second period to give the Giants their three goal lead back.

Emesibe makes it 4-1! pic.twitter.com/BmUdFQudE6

— Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) September 28, 2026

In the third, Prince Georges’ Foster would record his second goal of the game, but it was too little to late, as the G-Men were able to hold of the Cougars for the rest of regulation.

Giants goalie Burke Hood stood tall in his second start of the season, recording 32 saves on 34 shots.

STATISTICS

SOG: VAN —13/13/10 = 36 | PG – 13/8/13 = 34
PP: VAN—2/4 | PG— 0/6
Face-Offs: VAN —35 | PG — 34

3 STARS

1st: VAN – Mathis Preston – 1G, 1A, +2
2nd: VAN – Crosby Mateychuk – 1G, +1
3rd: VAN – Dennis Emesibe – 1G, +2

GOALTENDING BATTLE

Vancouver: Burke Hood (WIN – 32 saves / 34 shots)
Prince George: Alexander Levshyn (LOSS – 19:55 – 10 saves / 13 shots) + Peyton Shore (LOSS – 37:30 – 22 shots / 23)

UPCOMING

The Giants travel to Penticton to face the Vees on Friday, October 2 at 7:05 p.m. They host the Swift Current Broncos the following night at LEC at 7 p.m.