Tonight in Medicine Hat, the Prince George Cougars will wrap up a three game road trip with their first of two meetings this season with the Tigers. These teams met twice last season with  Medicine Hat twice defeating the Cougars in Prince George.

Overview:

The Medicine Hat Tigers come into tonight’s game with a record of 3-5-1-0. They’ve dropped five consecutive games, and are currently ranked fourth in the Central Division. They’ve been outscored 30-25 through nine games so far this season.

Who’s Up Front:

The Medicine Hat Tigers are a tremendously talented offensive group, and it all starts with their 18-year-old captain Hunter Shinkaruk. Shinkaruk had 91 points last season, and leads his team with 10 points so far this season. But he’s got plenty of help with the likes of: Miles Koules, Trevor Cox, and Curtis Valk who have all scored four goals.

Who’s on D:

The defensive leader right now for Medicine Hat is 18-year-old Kyle Becker. Becker has notched five points so far this season, and is also one of the few Tigers players in the ‘plus’ column for plus-minus. The Cougars will likely see a ton of Becker and also Dylan Busenius.

Who’s in Goal:

Dawson MacAuley got the call in goal last night for the Tigers and he took a 2-1 loss in Red Deer. Meaning that the Tigers could very well start their import goalie Marek Langhamer. So far Langhamer is 2-3-1-0 with a 3.23 goals against average and a save percentage of under .875%. MacAuley may get the nod again though given that his numbers are slightly better than Langhamers to start the season.

X-Factor:

Medicine Hat’s power play is currently ranked 11^th in the WHL with a 21.8 percent success rate. The Cougars have surrendered at least one power play goal against in each of their past four seasons. Quite simply, the Tigers have so many talented offensive players, and the power play only enables them to be more creative and dangerous. A strong night on the man advantage for Medicine Hat would likely help their cause greatly.

Overview:

Dean Clark’s Prince George Cougars head into tonight’s game with a 3-1-0-0 record on the road through four games. They’ve outscored their opposition 20-13 in the process. A win tonight will give the Cougars four of a possible six points on this three-game road trip, which I’m sure they’d gladly take this early in the season.

Who’s Up Front:

Another game, and at least another point for Colin Jacobs who has recorded at least a point in each of his first eight games in a Cougars uniform. After Jacobs though, there is a ton of other depth on display. Jari Erricson has scored in back-to-back games, while Brock Hirsche was able to notch his fourth of the season last night.

Who’s on D:

Right now the youth is on full display on the Cougars blueline. Two games ago, it was Tanner Lishchynsky who Dean Clark singled out for his positives, and last night it was Raymond Grewal who earned praise from his coach. Grewal saw some ice-time in all situations last night against Lethbridge, and can look forward to playing his third consecutive game tonight.

Who’s in Goal:

Brett Zarowny has put forth two solid outings in a row, with one win and one loss to show for it. Devon Fordyce hasn’t played since last Saturday against Kelowna, and could be due for an appearance. Regardless of who goes, the Cougars netminder will have to be aware of the many offensive threats that the Medicine Hat Tigers have to offer.

X-Factor:

The Prince George Cougars have surrendered at least one power play goal against in each of the past four games, and that is a trend that needs to stop tonight if the Cougars want to win. Hunter Shinkaruk, Elgin Pearce, Curtis Valk and company are very dangerous five-on-five, let alone when they have an extra attacker on the ice. If the Cougars can stay disciplined and win the special teams war, they have a great shot of earning two points on the road tonight.