Overview:
Heading into tonight’s game, the Red Deer Rebels are on the outside looking into the Eastern Conference playoff picture. They Rebels are 19-20-1-4 and are six points back of the Brandon Wheat Kings for the eighth and final playoff spot in the East. The Rebels have lost two straight and are 4-4-1-1 in their last 10 games.
Who’s Up Front:
19-year-old Swede john Persson leads the way offensively for the Rebels with 15 goals and 39 points this season. Persson is 6’2, and weighs 211 pounds and will be a tough body to move for the Cougars defense.
Who’s on D:
Leading the way this season on the back-end is 19-year-old defenceman Alex Petrovic. Petrovic comes into tonight’s game with 30 points in 40 games. He’s a +2 with 73 penalty minutes and is an excellent puck-moving defenceman for Red Deer. It also helps that he’s 6-4, 205.
Who’s in Goal:
Since joining the Red Deer Rebels, 20-year-old goaltender Deven Dubyk is 5-5-1-1 with a 3.03 Goals Against and a save percentage of just over .90. Dubyk is backed up by 17-year-old netminder Bolton Pouliot. Pouliot is 0-4-0-2 and is still looking for his first victory in the WHL.
X-Factor:
Since joining the Red Deer Rebels on December 29th, Charles Inglis has recorded one goal and three assists in his first eight games. Cougars fans are well aware of Inglis’ skill-set, and you know that he’ll want to bring his best against his former team.
Overview:
The Prince George Cougars are 0-2 so far on their currently three-game road trip and will wrap up their road trip tonight against Red Deer. The Cougars are winless in their last five road games. They head into tonight’s game trailing both Victoria and Seattle by three points in the Western Conference.
Who’s Up Front:
Though the 2011-2012 season has been filled with ups and downs for this young Cougars squad, one can’t ignore the fact that with each passing game, the younger kids are getting more experienced and are getting better. Take Jordan Tkatch for example. The 16-year-old scored his 11th of the season last night against Calgary and is now in a three-way tie for the team lead in goals.
Who’s on D:
If the Cougars want to snap their road skid tonight, they are going to need all hands on deck defensively. Cody Carlson and Dan Gibb have proven this season that they can be as good as any other defense tandem in the Western Hockey League. Jesse Forsberg and Reid Jackson have obvious chemistry together, and Ricard Blidstrand has fit in seamlessly with the Cougars since arriving from Regina. Add the fact that Michael Mylchreest continues to gain valuable experience at this level. All six Cougars defensemen will need to be ready to battle hard tonight.
Who’s in Goal:
Don’t let the five goals fool you. Drew Owsley was solid last night and continues to battle hard for his teammates. That being said, it appears as though Devon Fordyce may be getting the nod tonight in Red Deer. Fordyce is 1-4-0-1 this season, and if he does indeed get the start, it will be his first start against a team in the Central Division this year.
X-Factor:
Tonight’s game also marks the return of Daulton Siwak to Red Deer. The Cougars acquired Siwak in a trade on December 29th that sent Charles Inglis to Red Deer. Siwak has scored twice for the Cougars since his arrival, and appears to have fit right in alongside Alex Forsberg and Troy Bourke. You know that Siwak will want to put up some points against the Rebels, and you know that his linemates will want to get in on the action as well.
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