Cougars - Blazers Preview.

The Prince George Cougars and Kamloops Blazers meet again this weekend for two matchups at CN Centre. The Prince George Cougars hold a record of 2-4-0-0 against the Blazers this season, and are looking to snap a two-game skid.

KAMLOOPS BLAZERS

Overview:

The Kamloops Blazers are 26-10-1-2 and are coming into this weekend sitting first in the B.C. Division and second place in the Western Conference overall. The Blazers are 5-3-0-2 in their past 10 games but are coming off a 5-0 shutout victory over Prince George last Sunday.



Who’s Up Front:

Blazers forwards Tim Bozon and Colin Smith have each recorded eight points in six games so far this season against Prince George. Bozon leads all Kamloops scorers with six goals. Colin Smith and Brendan Ranford come into tonight’s game tied for the team lead in points with 45 each.



Who’s on D:

One of the most impressive defenceman this season for Kamloops has been 18-year-old defenceman Tyler Hansen. He hasn’t scored a goal, but has managed 12 assists and leads the entire team with a +24 rating.



Who’s in Goal:

Cole Cheveldave earned the 22 save shutout on Sunday in Kamloops and would certainly be a favourite to get the call in goal again this evening. If not, the Blazers could go with Cam Lanigan who is 7-4 this season.



X-Factor:

The Kamloops Blazers were three-for-eight on the man-advantage Sunday. The Cougars will need to stay disciplined and minimize the Blazers opportunities with the extra man. If the Cougars can stay five-on-five with Kamloops they give themselves a better chance.


PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS


Overview:

The Prince George Cougars are 5-5-0-0 in their last 10 games and are heading into this weekend trailing the Victoria Royals by two points in the Western Conference. The Cougars won their last outing at home, 3-1 against the Calgary Hitmen. The Cougars record is 13-23-0-2



Who’s Up Front:

The Prince George Cougars will be pleased to welcome back Alex Forsberg (26 points), Jordan Tkatch (11 points), Chase Witala (nine points) and Jarrett Fontaine (five points) back to the lineup this evening. All four have recently returned from the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge in Windsor, and all will help provide depth and skill to this Cougars hockey club.



Who’s on D:

The Cougars also get 19-year-old Martin Marincin back from the World Junior hockey championships. Marincin will add size, skill and a power play presence to the Cougars lineup and makes them instantly better at both ends of the ice.



Who’s in Goal:

Admittedly Sunday was not Drew Owsley’s best outing of the season but he’s been great at bouncing back this season, and he’ll also have some more fresh bodies in front of him which will help greatly. Owsley was recently named the Prince George Cougars player of the month for December.



X-Factor:

The Prince George Cougars need a good start in tonight’s game. When the Cougars score first they are 11-5-0-1 this season. The Cats had a great start on December 28th at home against Calgary, and if they can duplicate that type of start, they’ll put themselves into a great position to find success and victory.