The Prince George Cougars regular season is finally upon us. After a busy offseason, and a solid preseason, the games start to count for actual points, and the Cougars are hoping to make a splash in Everett against the Silvertips.

Overview:

Mark Ferner’s Everett Silvertips finished last season with a record of 22-40-2-8, which earned them 54 points, and the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. In seven preseason games, the Silvertips earned a 3-4-0-0 record.

Who’s Up Front:

Last season’s top point producer Josh Birkholz has graduated from the WHL, meaning more of an offensive onus will fall onto the shoulders of veterans Ryan Harrison and Cody Fowlie.  Unfortunately for Harrison, he can’t play due to a suspension that carries over from last season. Last season Harrison finished second on the Silvertips with 52 points. He scored 20 goals, and added 103 penalty minutes and was a +5. Fellow 20-year-old Cody Fowlie finished with an even 40 points in 2011-2012, and hopes to improve upon those total this season.

Who’s on D:

What a summer it was for Everett Silvertips defenceman, and captain Ryan Murray. The product of White City, SK was selected second overall in the 2012 NHL Entry draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets, and were it not for the current NHL lockout, Ryan Murray would not likely be a factor this weekend. But Murray will be a factor, and the Prince George Cougars are going to have to find a way to keep Murray contained this weekend. Last season in just 46 games, Murray totaled 31 points. Not only is he a danger offensively, but defensively he’s as consistent as they come.

Who’s in Goal:

The Everett Silvertips will start the season with the goaltending tandem of Cole Holowenko (1993) and Austin Lotz (1995). Holowenko was recently acquired in a trade with the Prince Albert Raiders, and is hoping that a change of scenery can help secure some victories in Everett. Holowenko won 13 games last season with the Raiders. His counterpart Austin Lotz earned two victories last season for Everett and will no doubt be pushing Holowenko for playing time in the early going of the season.

X-Factor:

Though they only managed one powerplay goal during the entire preseason, the Everett powerplay drastically improves with the addition of Ryan Murray to the lineup. The Prince George Cougars are going to need to do their best to keep the crowd out of the game early. The best way to avoid doing so is limiting Everett’s offensive opportunities, and discipline will be key in doing so.

Overview:

The Prince George Cougars are kicking off the 2012-2013 season with a renewed sense of optimism and confidence. The 2012-2013 Prince George Cougars are going to score more goals, and if the preseason is any indication they are going to come by committee. Only five players scored more than once during the preseason, but the Cougars managed to score 18 times in five games.

Who’s Up Front:

The Prince George Cougars have four lines that should be able to contribute offensively this season. The offensive anchors will be Troy Bourke, Colin Jacobs, Alex Forsberg and Daulton Siwak, but the depth is greatly improved this season as well. Chase Witala and Troy Bourke both recorded five points in the preseason, to share the team lead in points.

Who’s on D:

The one glaring strength in the Cougars backend to start 2012-2013 is their size. Dan Gibb, Dallas Ehrhardt, Michael Mylchreest, Rinalds Rosinskis, and Marc McNulty are all bigger bodies that should make life tougher for the opposition this season. Add the likes of Joseph Carvalho, Tanner Lishchynsky and Raymond Grewal to the equation and you’ve got a capable list of defenceman that can play at both ends of the ice.

Who’s In Goal:

The duo of Devon Fordyce and Brett Zarowny may be inexperienced, but they both possess a ton of upside heading into the 2012-2013 season. Devon Fordyce had a strong preseason, even though he wasn’t rewarded with victories for his efforts. Brett Zarowny secured three victories for the Cougars, and finished in a tie for first in overall victories in the preseason. Regardless of who gets the call on opening night, but goalies give the Cougars a great chance to win.

X-Factor:

It was touched on earlier in this preview, but a major key for the Cougars tonight will be to quiet the crowd early. The first 10 minutes will very telling, and if the Cougars can jump out to an early lead, or at least find a way to control the game, they’ll put themselves in a great  position to secure two points on opening night against Everett.