Overview:
Shaun Clouston’s Tigers head into tonight’s game with the third best record in the Eastern Conference. The Tigers are 37-21-2-3 and currently hold a two point lead over the Calgary Hitmen for third. The Tigers are 6-3-0-1 in their last 10 games overall.
Who’s Up Front:
Leading the way up front for the Tigers is 19-year-old California product Emerson Etem. Etem currently leads the WHL with 53 goals on the year and is the team leader in power play goals (15) and plus-minus (+21).
Who’s on D:
20-year-old defencemen James Bettauer and Matthew Konan are both have excellent seasons offensively for the Tigers. Bettauer has 49 points this season while Konan has 48. Bettauer has chipped in 11 goals on the power play this season.
Who’s in Goal:
Reports out of Medicine Hat suggest that Tyler Bunz will be back in goal for Medicine Hat after missing some time as of late. Bunz is 34-14-2-2 this season and has a goals against average of 2.52 and a save percentage of .922. His backup is Kenny Cameron who is 3-7-0-1 with a 3.24 goals against average and a save percentage of .899.
X-Factor:
While the Cougars certainly need to keep their tabs on Emerson Etem, the Tigers also boast another premiere offensive threat in Hunter Shinkaruk. The sophomore from Calgary has 40 goals through 57 games and has complimented Emerson Etem very nicely all season. The Cougars will need to make sure that they are aware of Shinkaruk, and don’t take his abilities lightly.
Overview:
Heading into tonight’s game, the Prince George Cougars are four points back of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. A win tonight for the Cougars coupled with Seattle and Victoria losses would move the Cougars back to within two points of the Western Conference playoff picture. It won’t be an easy test, but the Cougars have shown this season that they can go toe-to-toe with the league’s best and find success.
Who’s Up Front:
The Prince George Cougars are hoping that the likes of Troy Bourke and Daulton Siwak can build off of a solid outing on Saturday night. Bourke and Siwak both scored, and both achieved new career milestones in the process. Bourke’s goal gave him 43 points on the season which is a new season high, while Daulton Siwak’s 14th goal of the year gives him a new season high for goals.
Who’s on D:
Cody Carlson had a two-point night on Saturday against Victoria, and no doubt he’ll be expected to provide a solid two-way game again tonight for the Cougars. Carlson and Dan Gibb will very likely see a lot of ice-time against Emerson Etem, so it will be key for Carlson to pick his moments offensively. A big night from Carlson and Gibb would go a long way in helping the Cougars defeat the Tigers.
Who’s in Goal:
Drew Owsley will likely get the call tonight for the Cougars. Owsley has lost his last three starts, and will be looking to get his team back on the winning side of things. Owsley set a new season high for saves in a season on Saturday when he stopped 37 of the 41 shots he faced. Heading into tonight’s game, Drew Owsley has 1499 saves on the season.
X-Factor:
Two of the major bright spots as of late for the Cougars have been rookie forwards Chase Witala and Jarrett Fontaine. Fontaine has assists in three straight games for the Cougars while Chase Witala has scored in two straight games. If these two can continue to supply secondary scoring for the Cougars they’ll give themselves a terrific opportunity to defeat Medicine Hat, and inch closer to eighth place.
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