The Prince George Cougars will look for a weekend sweep of the Victoria Royals tonight at the CN Centre. Last night the Cougars downed the Royals 6-2, and are now back within four points of eighth place in the Western Conference playoff race. With 20 games left, the Cougars are still (to a large degree) in charge of their own playoff destiny and they’ll look to inch a little closer with a victory tonight.

Overview:

So far it has been a tough road trip for Dave Lowry’s Victoria Royals. Thursday they fell 6-1 to Kelowna and followed it up with a 6-2 setback last night to the Cougars. No matter who you are, or how much talent you have, three games in three nights is no easy task for anybody at any level. Tonight the Royals will need to dig deep, and rely on some of their scoring punch and talent to lead them to victory. They are 27-19-1-3 heading into tonight, and are four points back of fifth place in the Western Conference.

Who’s Up Front:

The Victoria Royals are a team that can strike fast and furious, and they were once again led by 20-year-old Alex Gogolev last night. Gogolev scored the first Royals goal which gives him 18 now on the season. Gogolev and his linemates were kept silent after that goal, and no doubt they will be looked upon to bounce back in a big way for Victoria tonight.

Who’s on D:

The sky is the limit for 16-year-old Royals defenceman Joe Hicketts. The rookie defender had an assist in last night’s game, and logged some key minutes in all situations for Victoria. Hicketts currently sits second in scoring for Victoria d-men with 16 points, and is bound to improve those numbers as time marches on for him in the WHL.

Who’s in Goal:

Coleman Vollrath started the game for Victoria, but Patrik Polivka finished it, marking the third time this season the Royals have used both goaltenders in a game with the Prince George Cougars. Logic would suggest that Patrik Polivka would get the call tonight for Victoria in the third game in three nights. The Royals will need their goaltender to be in top form tonight, regardless of who gets the nod. Polivka holds a record of 23-11-1-2.

X-Factor:

A normally very dangerous Victoria power play was kept largely in check last night as they finished one-for-seven. Credit the Royals for drawing so many penalties, and the game plan will likely stay the same in that regard. Special teams ultimately cost Victoria last night as they surrendered two shorthanded goals against. If they can win the special teams battle tonight, they could very likely win the game.

Overview:

Mark Holick’s Prince George Cougars head into tonight’s game looking to extend their home unbeaten streak to three games. They are 16-30-2-4 on the season which puts them within four points of the Seattle Thunderbirds for eighth, and six points behind Everett for seventh in the West.

Who’s Up Front:

Chase Witala must be considered a favorite for WHL Player of the Week honors. This week Witala has posted six goals through three games, and recorded his first ever WHL hat-trick in last night’s game with Victoria. He along with Colin Jacobs and Troy Bourke were full marks last night in all areas, and will be looked upon again tonight to supply some offense for the Cougars at home.

Who’s on D:

Dallas Ehrhardt led the way with a goal and two assists last night, and was also very responsible defensively. When Ehrhardt plays to his strengths he is a very useful piece in the Cougars puzzle, and hopefully Ehrhardt can build off a solid game last night and help his team at both ends again this evening. The 20-year-old leads all Cougars defencemen with four goals and 16 points this season.

Who’s in Goal:

Last night Mac Engel gave the Cougars steady and reliable goaltending en route to his seventh victory of the season. Engel stopped 28 of the 30 pucks thrown his way, and came up big in the first two periods with the game still largely in question. Engel will look to continue his strong play tonight, as the Cougars will need the 19-year-old to lead the charge towards the playoffs for the foreseeable future.

X-Factor:

Discipline will be key for the Cougars tonight. Last night they took seven penalties, and were able to withstand Victoria’s pressure with two shorthanded tallies. This is not a trend that head coach Mark Holick wants to see repeated tonight, and if the Cougars can keep the game five-on-five, or better yet, force Victoria to take more penalties, they could be just two points back of eighth when all is said and done this weekend.