Though the Western Hockey League playoffs don’t officially begin until late March, this week is going to have an extreme playoff feel to it for the Prince George Cougars. Tonight, the Prince George Cougars go head-to-head with the team directly ahead of them in the Western Conference standings, the Seattle Thunderbirds. It marks the first time these two teams will have faced each other since September 29^th. Much has changed since then, but one thing is certain: Tonight’s game is going to be a battle that most fans aren’t going to want to miss.

Overview:

Steve Konowalchuk’s Seattle Thunderbirds head into tonight with a record of 18-28-3-1. They are 2-7-1-0 in their last 10 games, and they lead the Prince George Cougars by four points in the race for eighth in the Western Conference and have played in one more game. So far Seattle is 1-1 against the Cougars in two meetings so far this season.

Who’s Up Front:

18-year-old right winger Connor Honey is enjoying a strong breakout season in the Western Hockey League. With 12 goals and 38 points, Honey leads his team. Honey is one of many shifty and skilled forwards on this Seattle club that can beat you if you don’t check them well.

Who’s on D:

The Seattle Thunderbirds boast one of the most gifted offensive defenceman in the Western Hockey League in Shea Theodore. The draft eligible blueliner from Aldergrove, B.C. leads the T-Birds defense-corps with nine goals and 31 points, and is very smooth and shifty when he gets his hands on the puck. Keeping Theodore in check will be a ‘must’ for the Cougars during tonight’s game if they wish to find success.

Who’s in Goal:

20-year-old Brandon Glover has been a remarkable workhorse for the Thunderbirds so far this season. Glover has played in 43 of Seattle’s 50 games, and is 17-21-3-1 with a goals-against-average of 3.96 and a save percentage of .890. In a game of this magnitude, it’s extremely likely that Glover will get the call against the Cougars tonight.

X-Factor:

The Thunderbirds are a very similar team to the Everett Silvertips in that they may lack a true offensive ‘stud’ up front, but they make up for it with depth throughout their lineup. Roberts Lipsbergs and Alex Delnov are two very talented players, and are two of 12 Thunderbirds with over 20 points this season.

Overview:

Mark Holick’s Prince George Cougars come into tonight’s game with an overall record of 15-28-2-4. A 4-0 victory on Saturday against Everett has moved the Cougars back within striking distance of the Seattle Thunderbirds. The Cougars are 3-6-1-0 in their last 10 games.

Who’s Up Front:

Colin Jacobs is coming off a strong two goal performance against the Everett Silvertips on Saturday. Jacobs leads all Cougars with 17 goals and 35 points, and he’ll have no shortage of motivation to perform well tonight. Jacobs spent the first three seasons of his WHL career as a member of the Seattle Thunderbirds and will play in front of Seattle fans for the first time in a different uniform tonight.

Who’s on D:

Since Mark Holick stepped behind the bench, Rinalds Rosinskis has feasted on the opposition. After going 33 games with zero points, Rosinskis potted his first ever WHL goal on Friday against Everett. He then followed it up with three assists on Saturday in a 4-0 victory. Rosinskis and his D-partner Dallas Ehrhardt have looked very strong together as of late, and hopefully can continue their recent success together tonight.

Who’s in Goal:

Mac Engel is coming off a 21 save shutout against Everett on Saturday and has posted a 5-3 lifetime record against Seattle. Engel’s familiarity with the Seattle Thunderbirds might be able to lift the Cougars a little bit, assuming Mark Holick gives his the start tonight. Brett Zarowny has yet to face Seattle, as Devon Fordyce played both games in net for the Cougars back in late September.

X-Factor:

The Prince George Cougars have outshot the opposition 81-43 since Mark Holick took over behind the bench. The Cougars are going to need to find ways to get lots of shots on the goal yet again tonight against a very talented and capable goaltender in Brandon Glover. If the Cougars can continue to put pucks on the net at the pace that they have lately, they will put themselves into a position to score more goals and ultimately win more games.