Cougars - Royals (Part Two)

After suffering a 4-2 setback last night to Victoria, the Prince George Cougars get right back at it tonight against the same Royals club. It’s the eighth and final meeting between these B.C. Division rivals and with four points separating the two teams, you can bet that tonight’s game will be filled with passion – Especially from the Cougars side.


VICTORIA ROYALS


Overview:

Marc Habscheid’s Victoria Royals are coming into tonight having gone 3-6-0-1 in their last 10 games. They are 19-36-2-4 and are now in sole possession of seventh place in the Western Conference standings. The Royals are 5-2-0-0 this season against the Prince George Cougars. The Royals have played in one more game than the Cougars.



Who’s Up Front:

Credit the Victoria Royals were beat the Cougars 4-2 last night without much help from their usual goal scorers. Jamie Crooks (32 goals) and Logan Nelson (54 points) were both held scoreless in last night’s game while the likes of Dakota Conroy, Austin Carroll and Robin Soudek (empty netter) supplied the offense.



Who’s on D:

Last night Hayden Rintoul was one of the best players on the ice for either team. He opened the scoring by taking the puck end-to-end and then around the Cougars goal to score his 15th of the season. Rintoul was sharp in his own end as well, and showed why he is considered to be one of the top 20-year-olds in the Western Hockey League.



Who’s in Goal:

What a night for Prince George’s Jared Rathjen. Rathjen earned his first career victory in the WHL and made 26 saves on the 28 shots he faced for the victory. Rathjen is 1-5-1-0 and has started two consecutive games for the Royals. It’s not known yet whether Keith Hamilton will go tonight for Victoria or whether Rathjen will get the nod once again.



X-Factor:

For only the second time in seven meetings the Victoria Royals managed to score first against the Cougars. That first goal proved to be a big one as it helped Victoria establish some strong momentum on the road. The first goal of tonight’s game will be a big one for either club.


PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS


Overview:

The Prince George Cougars head into tonight’s game with a 3-7-0-0 record in their last 10 games. They are one point back of ninth placed Everett and two points back of eighth placed Seattle in the Western Conference. With Everett and Seattle playing each other tonight, the Cougars won’t be able to jump into the top eight tonight, but a victory against the Victoria Royals is tremendously important to keep the Cougars within striking distance of eighth place in the Western Conference.



Who’s Up Front:

Chase Witala has had some strong outings this season, but last night’s game was arguably his best game in a Cougars uniform. Every time Witala touched the puck he made something happen. He scored the Cougars second goal and was denied of a few more by his former midget teammate Jared Rathjen. Another strong outing from Chase Witala would be a great sign for the Cougars who are looking to close the gap.



Who’s on D:

Dan Gibb got his name on the score sheet again last night, and has now recorded three points in his past four games. Gibb has a new season high of nine points on the year, and you know that he’d love to reach double digits before all is said and done.



Who’s in Goal:

Drew Owsley stopped 22 of the 25 shots he faced in last night’s game and did his part to keep his team within striking distance. Owsley is no stranger to pressure and you know that he’ll be ready to go tonight if his name is called to start. Owsley is looking for his 19th win of the season.



X-Factor:

The trio of Troy Bourke, Daulton Siwak and Spencer Asuchak were hold pointless for a third consecutive game against the Royals. These three had their moments in last night’s game, but if the Cougars want to climb back within two points of the Royals, these three will need to help lead the charge. Spencer Asuchak is tied for the team lead in goals with 15. Troy Bourke is one more point away from setting a new season high. And Daulton Siwak is one goal away from setting a new season high.