After six days without a game, the Prince George Cougars return to action tonight, in Kamloops against whom many would argue is the Cougars top rival, the Kamloops Blazers. Tonight’s game marks the first of eight meetings this season between the two clubs, with the Cougars going 3-7 against Kamloops last season.

Overview:

The Kamloops Blazers run to start this season has been incredibly impressive. Their first regulation loss came last night in Kelowna, where they dropped a 3-0 score. Prior to that game, the Blazers had put together a record of 16-0-0-1 through their first 17 games. They are well in front of any other team in the B.C. Division, and were ranked number one in all of Canada heading into this week.

Who’s Up Front:

The Kamloops Blazers are loaded with offensive punch, and can come at you in waves if you are not prepared. Blazers forward JC Lipon was recently named WHL Player of the Month for September/October after posting 40 points in his first 17 games, which is tops in the entire WHL. He along with linemates Colin Smith and Tim Bozon are 1,2,3 in WHL scoring heading into this weekend, and the Cougars will need to keep them in check if they want to find the win column tonight.

Who’s on D:

The Kamloops Blazers don’t have that one special superstar on the back-end, but they are loaded with depth and dependability. Offensively they get contributions from the likes of Marek Hrbas, Tyler Hansen, and Jordan Thompson, while the likes of Sam Grist help provide some size and physicality. Don’t let the lack of apparent star-power fool you, the Blazers are an incredibly well rounded team with plenty of depth on the back-end as well.

Who’s in Goal:

19-year-old netminder Cole Cheveldave has put together a heck of a start to the 2012-2013 season. This season in 13 games he has put together a record of 11-1-1 with a goals against average of 2.03 and a save percentage of .922. His backup is 18-year-old Taran Kozun, who is 5-0-1 with a 2.53 goals against average and a save percentage of  .915%.

X-Factor:

One of the WHL’s most consistent point producers in recent years has been 20-year-old Brendan Ranford. Ranford has 23 points through 16 games and is coming off a season where he scored 40 times for Kamloops in the regular season. Ranford is just one of many Kamloops forwards that can burn you if given too much time and space, and will need to be watched closely tonight by the Cougars.

Overview:

The Prince George Cougars head into tonight’s game with a two-game winning streak. They are 7-7-1-0 and start the day just three points back of third place Victoria and a seven-point lead on fifth place Vancouver in the B.C. Division. A win tonight would move them back above the .500 mark.

Who’s Up Front:

Through the first 15 games, Cougars forward Colin Jacobs continues to the lead the charge offensively. The 19-year-old from Coppell, Texas leads the Cougars with eight goals, and 18 points. Jacobs had two assists during last Saturday’s 3-2 win against Brandon, and you know that the Cougars will be leaning on him to provide some offense tonight.

Who’s on D:

17-year-old defenceman Marc McNulty enters tonight’s game riding a two-game goal-scoring streak. The product of Medicine Hat, Alberta looks right at home alongside Dan Gibb, and I’d expect to see lots of those two on ice together tonight.

Who’s in Goal:

With two games coming up in two nights, both Mac Engel and Brett Zarowny could be in line for a start each. That all depends on how things go tonight in Kamloops. Mac Engel stopped 26 of the 28 shots he faced to beat Brandon last weekend, and looked very solid in the shootout making some clutch saves to help lead the Cougars to victory. Brett Zarowny could also be in line for the start tonight, as he was victorious earlier last week against Spokane.

X-Factor:

Team defense is going to be a major factor for the Cougars in tonight’s game. One of the major strengths for the Cougars as of late has been their attention to detail defensively. If they can play a structured, and confident game defensively while limiting the number of high quality chances from Kamloops, they have a great chance to win tonight, on the road.