Overview:
Mike Johnston’s Portland Winterhawks are 20-9-1-1 through 31 games and are currently ranked second in the US division behind only the Tri City Americans. The Winterhawks have won five straight games overall.
Who’s Up Front:
The Portland Winterhawks received more than enough offense from 18-year-old forward Ty Rattie in last night’s game. Rattie scored three goals and has now registered 31 goals in 30 games. The duo of Ty Rattie and Sven Bartschi may be the most lethal twosome in the entire league, and they put their skills on full display last night.
Who’s on D:
Defensively the player that stood out the most in last night’s game was 17-year-old Derrick Pouliot. Pouliot is in his draft-year and is being touted by many as being an early first-round pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. Pouliot has great vision, strong patience, and does not panic with the puck at all.
Who’s in Goal:
In goal the Winterhawks are led by 19-year-old Mac Carruth. Carruth has played in 29 games this season and has posted a record of 19-8-1-0. He stopped 35 of the 38 shots he faced last night for the victory. Carruth is very confident playing the puck and to his credit made some very timely saves in all three periods last night. Mike Johnston may decide to go with backup 16-year-old Brendan Burke, who will no doubt be ready if called upon tonight.
X-Factor:
The Portland Winterhawks are led by both Sven Bartschi and Ty Rattie, but do not for one moment underestimate Toronto Maple Leaf’s prospect Brad Ross. Ross has scored 18 goals this season and is third on the team in scoring with 36 points in 31 games. Ross scored the empty-netter in last night’s game but added an assist, and was dangerous quite often last night.
Overview:
The Prince George Cougars are looking to redeem themselves after last night’s tough setback. Dean Clark’s team have lost their last four games at home, and are 2-9-0-1 at CN Centre this season.
Who’s Up Front:
The Prince George Cougars were led offensively by the trio of Jordan Tkatch, Jarrett Fontaine and Austin Daae in last night’s game. Tkatch was credited with two goals while Daae and Fontaine both got on the score-sheet with assists. Tkatch has now scored seven goals this season, he along with all of the other 16-year-olds on the roster are making tremendous strides are both ends of the ice.
Who’s on D:
Cody Carlson extended his point-scoring streak to nine games last night with an assist on the first Cougars goal. Carlson is second overall in team scoring with 21 points through 30 games, and is one of just three players (the others being Alex Forsberg and Greg Fraser) who have played in every single game this season for the Cougars.
Who’s in Goal:
The Prince George Cougars got great goaltending last night from Drew Owsley who stopped 40 of the 44 shots he faced. Owsley didn’t have much of a chance on any of the goals that beat him last night, and a similar effort from Owsley should give the Cougars a great chance to win in tonight’s game. Owsley is 11-3-1-0 lifetime against Portland.
X-Factor:
The Cougars are going to need the trio of Troy Bourke, Alex Forsberg and Spencer Asuchak to provide some offense tonight for the Cougars. It’s great that the Cougars are receiving balanced scoring from all of their lines, but they’re going to need their top point producers to do just that and lead the charge. A big night from the Cougars big line will go a long way for the Cougars who are looking for their 10th victory of the season.
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