Overview:
The Swift Current Broncos are 2-4-1-0 on their season, and currently sit last in the Eastern Division. The Broncos are coming off a 4-1 loss to the Edmonton Oil Kings.
Who’s Up Front:
20-year-old forward Taylor Vause leads the way for Swift Current with 11 points in his first seven games. The Calgary product has record four goals, and seven assists, and has provided Head-Coach Mark Lamb with dependable minutes. The Cougars will need to minimize his time and space, and force Vause into the tough areas of the icce.
Who’s on D:
18-year-old Czech defenceman Richard Nedomlel is off to a fine offensive start for 2011-2012. He has tallied eight points through seven games, and holds the team lead for scoring from the back-end. Add the fact that he’s 6’4” and weighs 225 pounds, and you’ve got a kid that will no doubt be a difficult presence in his own zone as well.
Who’s in Goal:
20-year-old Jon Groenheyde was recently acquired from the Edmonton Oil Kings in exchange for 20-year-old forward Jordan Peddle. Groenheyde is 1-1 so far during his tenure in Swift Current, and has already seen the Cougars once this season, albeit in pre-season play. Groenheyde was stellar for Edmonton during their September 9 pre-season victory against the Cougars at CN Centre. Coach Lamb may also decide to go with 18-year-old Austin Smith or 17-year-old Steven Myland who are also listed on the Swift Current roster.
X-Factor:
Winnipeg Jet’s prospect Adam Lowery is off to a strong start in 2011-2012. The 18-year-old forward has tallied four goals, and eight points so far this season. Lowery stands 6’5” and will be a difficult guy to move in the defensive-zone. The Cougars will have to keep Lowery away from the front of their goal. If the Cats can keep Lowery and Vause pointless tonight, they’ll have a great shot at improving their record to 3-3 on this road-swing.
Overview:
Dean Clark’s team is 2-3 so far on their seven game road-swing, and can improve their overall record to 4-4-0-1 with a victory tonight in Swift Current. The Cats are looking for some redemption after a tough 6-0 loss in Moose Jaw. So far this season the Cougars have shown a strong ability to bounce back after a tough prior performance.
Who’s Up Front:
20-year-old Spencer Asuchak is playing some fierce and determined hockey right now for Prince George. Asuchak has fit right in alongside his linemates Jordan Tkatch and Jarrett Fontaine. Asuchak is tied for the team-lead in points with six, and has been a strong presence at both ends of the ice. Asuchak is a +3 so far on the season his linemates are both a +4.
Who’s on D:
If the Prince George Cougars want to win tonight they’ll need to get back to the basics that allowed them to win in Regina. That means smart passes, an aggressive back-check, and lots of shot-blocks. Dan Gibb and Cody Carlson have been arguably the two most consistent players for the Cats defensively, and they’ll need to have another big night tonight in order to lift the Cougars over the Broncos.
Who’s in Goal:
Drew Owsley played the full 60-minutes for Prince George on Monday in Moose Jaw, and did not get a ton of help from his team. That being said, strong-goaltending has been a common-trend in each of the Cougars three victories this season. Either Drew Owsley or Devon Fordyce will need to be big, and perhaps steal a game in Swift Current tonight.
X-Factor:
When the Prince George Cougars score the first goal they have a record of 3-1-0-1. When they don’t score first they are 0-3. Some take statistics far more seriously than others, but so far the Cougars have had a lot more sustained success when they’re able to score first in games. If the Cougars can draw first tonight, and put a little panic into the minds of the Broncos, I’m sure it will bode well for their confidence given the fact that this is game six of a seven-game road-swing.
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