Overview:
The Vancouver Giants are 21-12-1-1 through 35 games this season and they head into tonight’s game four points out of first place in the B.C. Division.
Who’s Up Front:
With both Brendan Gallagher and Marek Tvrdon attending World Junior matters, the bulk of the offensive responsibility falls onto the shoulders of Jordan Martinook, Cain Franson and Giants captain James Henry. All three were strong in last night’s game, but Franson was particularly effective. Franson had a goal and two assists and now has 32 points on the season.
Who’s on D:
Neil Manning showed last night why he is considered to be one of the top 20-year-old defenseman in the WHL. Manning set up Cain Franson’s breakaway goal and was very dependable at both ends of the ice. Manning will be the focal point tonight on the Giant’s blueline due to the fact that David Musil will be out of the lineup attending the Czech Republic’s World junior camp.
Who’s in Goal:
Vancouver Giants goaltender Adam Morrison became the first WHL goaltender to earn 20 victories last night. Morrison is very active and can play the puck as well as any goaltender in the WHL. He made 19 saves on 21 shots faced and may very well get the call again tonight. If not, then backup Jackson Whistle may be called into action. Whistle is still looking for his first win in the WHL.
X-Factor:
Giants forward Jordan Martinook is second on the team in goal scoring with 20. He trails only Brendan Gallagher for the team lead. Martinok played a strong game last night even though he was held off the score sheet. He gives Vancouver instant offense, and will need to be guarded closely again tonight by the Cougars defense core.
Overview:
The Prince George Cougars head into tonight’s game with a record of 12-20-0-2 through 34 games. The Cougars are one point back of eighth place Seattle, and they trail Victoria by four, and Kelowna by five points in the Western Conference standings.
Who’s Up Front;
16-year-old forward Alex Forsberg is playing his best hockey right now for Prince George. Forsberg scored both goals last night for the Cats, and he along with linemates Troy Bourke and Spencer Asuchak provided the Cougars with the most consistency. Forsberg leads the Cougars with 25 points in 34 games.
Who’s on D:
It was a tough night for the Cougars defensively last night. The puck was bouncing around a lot in the defensive zone, and the Cougars (to a man) had trouble winning battles. The Cougars strength is in their depth on the blueline, and I expect that everybody from Dan Gibb through Michael Mylchreest will be ready to go tonight.
Who’s in Goal:
Drew Owsley made 30 saves on 33 shots faced last night for Prince George. He was especially sharp in the second period when the Cougars got into some penalty trouble. Owsley’s play likely earns him another crack at the Giants tonight, but Dean Clark could very easily decide to go with Devon Fordyce and give him a start here before the break.
X-Factor:
With only one game remaining before the holiday break the Prince George Cougars are fortunate with the fact that tonight’s game is a Teddy Bear and Toque toss game. It could very well be the largest crowed of the season to date for tonight’s game, and I expect that the crowd alone will be enough to force the Cougars into the right frame of mind. If the Cougars can score early and get the crowd going, they’ll give themselves plenty of self-motivation and confidence. A win tonight for the Cougars could very well push them into the top eight at the break, and while the Cougars still have plenty of time left in the season, that alone would likely help them enjoy their break that much more.
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