Two weeks ago, Colby McAuley was a virtual unknown to many in the Prince George Cougars organization. Fast forward to this weekend, and Colby McAuley may have just cemented his spot on the 2014-15 Prince George Cougars roster.

The 18-year-old rookie from Sherwood Park, AB chipped in with two goals and a fight en route to a 4-2 Prince George Cougars victory over the Edmonton Oil Kings. Josh Anderson chipped in with two assists, and goaltenders Adam Beukeboom and Matt Kustra turned away 37 of the 39 shots that they faced combined.

For a second straight game, it was the Prince George Cougars who got on the score sheet first. Lance Yaremchuk took a Kody McDonald pass and somehow scooped a backhand shot over the shoulder of Patrick Dea and in for his first tally of the preseason.

Just over three minutes later the Cougars added to the lead when Tyler Mrkonjic jammed home a Josh Anderson rebound on the power play, for his first marker of the 2014 preseason.

Both Patrick Dea and Adam Beukeboom made some timely saves for their respective teams throughout the first half of the game, and because of that, the next goal of the game wouldn’t come until the 14 minute mark of the second period.

Colby McAuley made it 3-0 for the Cougars when he crashed the net hard and was able to bury an Aaron Boyd rebound. For McAuley it was his third of the preseason, giving him a goal per game to that point, but he wasn’t done.

McAuley struck again at 7:51 one of the third period on a power play. Again it was due to some hard work and perseverance in front of the net that allowed him the time and space to finish the play off.

“Coming into camp I was a little nervous, but over the past two weeks I’ve been able to help the team win games,” said McAuley post-game. “I’ve just tried to come to practice prepared and focused, and I’ve done what the coaches have told me to do. I’m just trying to battle every day to get better.”

The Edmonton Oil Kings would strike twice (Tyler Robertson and Lane Bauer) in the final 10 minutes to make things interesting, but the Cougar penalty-killers rose to the occasion when they needed to and helped preserve the 4-2 victory.

Edmonton outshot the Cougars 39-30, but for a second straight night were held scoreless on the man-advantage. The Cougars penalty kill finished a perfect 12-for-12 while the Cats’ power play went two-for-six.