Overview:
The Spokane Chiefs are 14-9-2-2 through 27 games this season. The Chiefs are coming off a victory against Everett last night, and are 5-4-1-0 in their last 10 outings. Spokane currently sits third in the US Division behind Tri City and Portland.
Who’s Up Front:
The Spokane Chiefs are led offensively by 19-year-old Anthony Bardaro. Bardaro has 16 goals and leads the Chiefs with 33 points in 25 games. Bardaro scored once for Spokane in the last meeting between these teams. Bardaro is strong on the puck and has a quick release.
Who’s on D:
Spokane’s top defenseman Brendan Kitchton is attending Team Canada’s World Junior tryout and (barring anything unexpected) will not play for Spokane tonight. Kitchton has 29 points in 27 games for Spokane and was easily one of Spokane’s best players two weeks ago when these teams last met. But the Cougars don’t have a free ride by any means. Spokane still has a number of other quality blueliners like Reid Gow, Davis Vandane and Corbin Baldwin who can log a lot of key minutes for the Chiefs. Baldwin and Vandane really stood out two weeks ago.
Who’s in Goal:
An interesting decision for the Chiefs tonight. Two weeks ago these started Luke Lee-Knight who struggled against the Cougars surrendering four goals on just 10 shots faced. Maybe they give him the shot again tonight for a chance at redemption. Or maybe they go with Mac Engel who surrendered only one goal in relief against the Cougars on November 26th. Engel did play last night in Everett and made 23 saves in victory.
X-Factor:
92-born center Dominik Uher has tallied 19 points in 23 games so far this season for Spokane. Two weeks ago he played a tenacious, consistent game for Spokane. He’s strong at both ends of the ice, and provides a nice compliment offensively to the lies of Bardaro and Kitchton.
Overview:
The Prince George Cougars are eyeing their third victory in a row and their sixth in their last eight games. They head into tonight’s contest with a record of 11-19-0-2. They currently sit in eighth place in the Western Conference, one point ahead of the Seattle Thunderbirds.
Who’s Up Front:
While no forwards scored for Prince George during last night’s 1-0 victory, they all played well collectively. The trio of Spencer Asuchak, Alex Forsberg and Troy Bourke were dominant through big stretches of the game, and had it not been for Calvin Pickard in goal, the above three could have had a much more successful night offensively.
Who’s on D:
Cody Carlson supplied the lone goal for the Prince George Cougars in last night’s victory. Carlson has scored three times on the power play this season, and his 22 points have him tied with Alex Forsberg for the team lead in scoring. Carlson has also contributed defensively as well. He’s continued to provide Dean Clark with solid minutes and timely shot-blocks.
Who’s in Goal:
Drew Owsley is on a roll right now for the Prince George Cougars. He earned a 24-save shutout in last night’s game, and he now leads the WHL with three shutouts on the year.
X-Factor:
When the Prince George Cougars score first, they win way more often than not. They have a record of 10-4-0-1 when they strike first and they’ll look to do so again tonight in Spokane. Historically Spokane has not been a kind facility to the Cougars, but scoring first should definitely help the Cougars keep things settled on the road. Tonight is Spokane’s Teddy Bear Toss night, which should also help provide some extra motivation for the Cougars.
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