Defenceman Jack Sander provided the offensive spark for Team Black, scoring two goals in a 5-3 win over Team White in the Prince George Cougars intrasquad game Tuesday at CN Centre.
He scored both his goals in a four-goal second period which staked Black to a 5-2 lead.
Sander, an 18-year-old native of Beaumont, Alta., is about to begin his second Western Hockey League season. The six-foot-one, 185-pound product of the Leduc Oil Kings midget program aced the Cougars' fitness tests on Saturday. He and winger Tyson Upper shared the team's Mountain Lion Fitness Award as the top overall performers in a range of off-ice tests.
Czech import Fillip Koffer, Craig Armstrong and Kyren Gronick also scored for Black. Replying for Team White were Chicago Blackhawks draft pick Cole Moberg, Connor Bowie and John Herrington.
Tyler Brennan, Jacob Herman and Zachery Onskiw teamed up in goal goal for Black and each played one period. Isaiah DiLaura, Colton Phillips-Watts and Ty Young were the Team White puckstoppers.
The Cougars continue team workouts this week at CN Centre. The preseason begins Friday, Sept. in Langley, where the Cats face the Kamloops Blazers in a 4:30 p.m. game. The following night, also in Langley, the Cougars will take on the the defending Western Conference-champion Vancouver Giants, then travel to Kelowna for a Sunday, Sept. 7 date with the Rockets.
The Cougars wrap up the preseason Sept. 12 and 14 when they play the Edmonton Oil Kings n Dawson Creek. Their season-opener is set for Friday, Sept. 20 at CN Centre against Vancouver.
