For the third time this season, the Prince George Cougars and the Kelowna Rockets are set to go head-to-head. So far this season the Cougars are 1-1 against Kelowna, having posted a 6-3 victory against them at home on October 5^th. Only two points separate these teams in the standings, and you know that both teams are going to be fired up for this one.

Overview:

The Kelowna Rockets head into tonight’s game sitting fourth in the B.C. Division with a record of 4-5-1-0 (nine points). The Rockets are coming off a 3-2 loss to the Victoria Royals on Saturday night.

Who’s Up Front:

Though he’s listed as a defensemen, the last time the Cougars saw Myles Bell he was playing up front, and was extremely lethal for Kelowna. Not only does Bell lead the Rockets in scoring with 17 points, but four of those points came a few weeks ago against the Prince George Cougars at CN Centre. Bell is very skilled, confident, and always seems to put himself into the open areas on the ice..

Who’s on D:

New Jersey Devils prospect Damon Severson was extremely noticeable when the Cougars and Rockets last got together. After sitting out the Friday game, Severson returned on the Saturday and scored the clinching goal in a 7-5 Kelowna victory. Severson is very poised, and patient on the Rockets blue line, and will no doubt be one of the go-to-guys defensively for Ryan Huska’s team.

Who’s in Goal:

So far this season, Jordan Cooke has led the Kelowna Rockets to three of their four victories. The 19-year-old is 3-5-1-0 on the season with a goals against average of 3.71 and a save percentage of .886%. His trip to Prince George was not very flattering a few weeks ago, but he still managed to help his team earn the split with the Cougars. Cooke’s backup is 17-year-old Jackson Whistle who saw 40 minutes of relief work against the Cougars back on October 5^th.

X-Factor:

Rockets captain Colton Sissons was extremely noticeable when these two teams last got together. In two games, Sissons recorded a goal and three assists, and was probably the most dangerous player on the ice for Kelowna during their 7-5 victory on October 6^th. Sissons has five goals, 13 points and is a +7 on the season so far. The Nashville Predators draft pick will need to be watched closely in tonight’s game.

Overview:

The Prince George Cougars head into tonight’s game with a 5-4-1-0 record and a two-point lead on Kelowna for third place in the B.C. Division. The Cougars offense has all of a sudden slumped in recent games, only managing four goals in the past three games. A visit to Kelowna may just be what the doctor ordered though as the Cougars scored 11 times in two games earlier this season against the Rockets.

Who’s Up Front:

Zach Pochiro returns to the lineup tonight for the Cougars and his skill and intensity should be a welcomed addition. Pochiro leads all Cougars with five points in two games so far this season against Kelowna, and no doubt he and his linemates will be super charged up for this one.

Who’s on D:

Defensively the Cougars need to find a way to limit their goals against. The Cougars have allowed the second most goals against out of any team in the Western Conference so far this season, and in order to change that statistic, the Cougars are going to need to be a little more aware and responsible in their own zone. Quicker puck movement, more blocked shots, and perhaps some more physicality will be necessary for the Cougars to establish themselves defensively tonight against Kelowna.

Who’s in Goal:

Mac Engel made his Cougars debut in last night’s game, coming into the back-half of the second period and stopping all 20 shots he faced from there on out.  With Devon Fordyce removed from the Cougars roster, the onus will now fall onto Mac Engel and Brett Zarowny to provide the Cougars with some steadier goaltending from here on out. What an opportunity for either Engel or Zarowny to make a statement tonight, in Kelowna against a division rival.

X-Factor:

One of the major keys for the Cougars tonight will be to try and limit the number of shots on goal against. The Cougars have surrendered 30 or more shots on goal against in eight of the first 10 games. If the Cougars can hold Kelowna to 30 or less shots, they’re going make life easier on their goaltenders, and likely cause a ton of frustration for the opposition. The Cougars have proven that they can score a ton, but in order to stay in the top-end of the standings, the Cougars will need to learn to win the close, low scoring games. Tonight’s game with Kelowna will be a good test for the Cougars.