Food for Thought From Kelowna.

Another game day for the Prince George Cougars as they once again get set to take on the Kelowna Rockets. So far this season the Rockets are 3-0 against the Cougars having posted two victories against them this past weekend.

Tonight's game also marks the first of five straight games on the road for the Cougars who will then go on to face Seattle, Spokane, Kamloops and then Kelowna once more before returning home.

It's an important road-trip for the Cougars and given where they are in the standings, it's important for them to do everything they can to get a winning-streak going.

Some food for thought:

- The Cougars have scored two or less goals in 16 of their first 24 games this season. The Cats have done a fine job at holding the opposition in check offensively, but unless they figure out a way to score more goals, they'll likely continue to struggle in the win column. Four of the last five games (all losses) have been decided by one-goal. If the Cougars can find a way to score more than two goals, they give themselves a terrific chance to win games. Granted it's easier said than done against a rival like Kelowna, but the Cougars are more than capable of doing so.


- Still no word yet on who is going to start in goal for the Prince George Cougars tonight. In my opinion it is basically going to be a coin-flip between Drew Owsley and Devon Fordyce. Last night against Kootenay, Owsley put forward one of the best goaltending performances I have seen from anybody all season. Granted the Cougars lost 3-2, but to no fault of Owsley who made at least four truly magnificent stops that most goalies would not have made. Does that earn him another crack at the Kelowna Rockets? Or does Devon Fordyce get the call in order to throw a different wrinkle at Kelowna. Fordyce has earned points in his past two starts, and has proven recently that he can make timely saves as well.


- I know that the wins and losses may hint otherwise, but you can't deny the fact that the 2011-2012 Prince George Cougars are developing well, especially the younger kids. Jordan Tkatch earned an assist last night thanks to some great effort along the boards. Jake Mykitiuk makes a dandy move through center to set up the Cougars first goal, and guys like Michael Mylchreest, Linden Springer, and Jarrett Fontaine continue to get better with each passing game. The sky is the limit for these kids of they continue to work hard.


- The return of Jesse Forsberg makes a world of difference to this team both physically and emotionally. I'm very excited to see Forsberg go head-to-head with Kelowna tonight. Who knows if a healthy Jesse Forsberg would have made a difference last weekend at home, but tonight he's in and I'd expect nothing less than the usual from the captain: Gritty, determined, physicality.


- I hope you can catch tonight's game which goes live on 99.3 The Drive starting at 6:45 with the pre-game show. Enjoy your night, and we'll chat you soon.

DO