The Prince George Cougars will set their sights on their fourth consecutive preseason victory tonight when they once again host the Edmonton Oil Kings. Last night the Cougars earned a 3-1 victory and have already guaranteed themselves a winning record during the 2012 exhibition season.

Overview:

The defending WHL champs were without several of their regulars in last night’s game, but all of that being said they still boast a very potent lineup that provides a ton of difficulty for the opposition. They take a 1-2-0-0 record into tonight’s matchup with the Cougars.

Who’s Up Front:

Without the likes of Michael St. Croix, Henrik Samuelsson and Dylan Wruck up front last night, the Oil Kings had to reply on the likes of Stephane Legault, Klarc Wilson, Mitchell Moroz and Curtis Lazar to lead the charge offensively. Mitch Moroz was selected 32^nd overall by the Edmonton Oilers during the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and brings a unique dynamic of size and offensive to the Oil Kings forward group. Moroz assisted on the Oil King’s lone goal in last night’s game. The Cougars did a fine job keeping all of the above in check last night, and tonight will be no exception.

Who’s on D:

The Oil Kings got their lone goal from 16-year-old defenceman Aaron Irving. The 16-year-old Edmonton product has dressed in all three preseason games for the Oil Kings and has a +1 rating to go along with his goal and four penalty minutes. Add the fact that the Oil Kings may have defenceman Griffin Reinhart in the lineup tonight, and you know that the Oil Kings blueline will get a major boost with his presence.

Who’s in Goal:

Laurent Brossoit got his first taste of preseason action for Edmonton and did not look bad at all stopping 30 of the 33 shots he faced. Tristan Jarry backed up Brossoit last season, and may get the full 60 tonight against the Prince George Cougars. Either way the Oil Kings are confident with who they send out to guard the goal.

X-Factor:

The Prince George Cougars did a fine job of keeping the Oil Kings powerplay silenced in last night’s game. Edmonton had seven opportunities and were unable to capitalize. The most notable powerplay came late in the third when Edmonton was given a four-minute powerplay to end the game. If the Oil Kings want to leave Prince George with a split, the powerplay will need to come alive. The possible addition of Griffin Reinhart would certainly assist with that.

Overview:

The cylinders are clicking in all areas right now for the Prince George Cougars. They’ve scored 14 goals in three games, and 21 of their players have recorded at least one point so far during the preseason. They’ve scored a powerplay goal in each of their three games, and their goaltending has been superb allowing just four goals in three games so far.

Who’s Up Front:

The trio of Colin Jacobs, Zach Pochiro and Alex Forsberg combined for two of the three goals last night for Prince George. Pochiro’s game winner was a true beauty, and Colin Jacobs showed some great coordination with a tip-in goal late in the second. Alex Forsberg did what he does best, which is make the difficult passes look easy. These three will all be looked upon to provide the Cougars with steady offense this season, and it was great to see them find success in last night’s contest.

Who’s on D:

Even though it’s early, the Prince George Cougars appear to have a keeper in defenceman Rinalds Rosinskis. The 6’5”, 202 pound Latvian blueliner had an assist in last night’s game, and more importantly looked very comfortable manning the point on the powerplay alongside Joseph Carvalho. As Rosinskis continues to adjust to the North American game, there is no reason to think t hat he won’t log a ton of key minutes in all situations this season for the Cougars.

Who’s in Goal:

Three games and three victories for 17-year-old rookie Brett Zarowny. Zarowny has been lights out through the first three games of the preseason, and leads the WHL in preseason victories because of that. Tonight, he will likely backup Devon Fordyce who’ll get his first 60-minute opportunity. Fordyce was perfect in his only 30 minutes of action so far, and tonight he’ll get a great test against the defending WHL Champs.

X-Factor:

Tonight, the trio of Troy Bourke, Daulton Siwak, and Jari Erricson will likely draw into the lineup for their second taste of preseason play. It’s easy to take note of the key bodies absent from the Oil Kings lineup, but the Cougars had a pretty good trio of their own sit out last night. No doubt these three will want to continue to establish some chemistry together, and what better way than in front of their home crowd on a Saturday night in Prince George.