This weekend the Prince George Cougars will continue their six-game home stand with back-to-back games against the Kelowna Rockets tonight and tomorrow night. So far the home stand has been ‘hit and miss.’ The Cougars have earned points in three of the first four games, but have only won one of them. Tonight they’ll be in tough against a Kelowna Rocket’s team that has only lost twice in regulation all season.

Overview:

Ryan Huska’s Kelowna Rockets come into tonight’s game with an overall record of 9-2-0-2. They have surrendered the fewest goals against in the entire WHL (32 goals) and are 7-2-0-1 in their past 10 games. The Rockets are coming off back-to-back victories against the Victoria Royals and so far this season are 5-1 against teams in the B.C. Division.

Who’s Up Front:

Four Kelowna forwards are averaging a point-per-game to start the 2013-2014 season. Leading the way offensively is 18-year-old forward Tyson Baillie along with 16-year-old rookie Nick Merkley. Both have six goals and 15 points through 13 games. Add the fact that fellow forwards Zach Franko and Ryan Olsen are also clicking at a point-per-game pace, and you’ve got a Kelowna team that has some offensive punch whenever they take the ice.

Who’s on D:

That steady supply of offense up front is also extremely evident on the back end. Madison Bowey and Riley Stadel are both point-per-game guys on the blueline, and captain Damon Severson has managed 10 points in 11 games. Combine the skill of those three with the size of Mitchell Wheaton and the dependability of Colten Martin, and you’ve got a nice mix of everything back there.

Who’s in Goal:

If you’re looking for a weak link on this Rockets team, you certainly won’t find it in goal. 20-year-old Jordan Cooke is the reigning CHL Goaltender of the Week and has posted a record of 8-0-0-2 so far this season. His backup goaltender is Jackson Whistle, who is 1-2 and off to a slower start. But don’t let the early numbers fool you. Both goaltenders are extremely capable, and both could very well get a look at the Cougars this weekend.

X-Factor:

Depth continues to be the major strength of the Kelowna Rockets program and it’s something that head coach Ryan Huska does not take for granted. A few weeks ago, Huska praised the fact that on any given night, it can be any number of players who lead the way to victory. I’m sure any coach would tell you that he’d rather have a full group of players who can be relied upon offensively, rather than two or three that are leaps and bounds ahead of the others. If the Rockets want to be successful this weekend they’ll need all four lines and all six defencemen to continue doing exactly what they’ve done through their first 13 games.

Overview:

It’s been a bit of a bizarre home stand so far for the Prince George Cougars. Through their first four games, they have earned points in three of them. Yet through those four games, they have only won once. The Cougars are 7-8-1-2  through the quarter mark of the season, but are just two points back of Victoria for a tie for second in the B.C. Division.

Who’s Up Front:

While Chase Witala’s goal scoring streak may have been snapped at six games, his point streak carries on. Witala currently has a seven game point streak going, which is tied for the season high in the WHL this season. Plain and simple, Witala needs one point tonight to give himself the longest WHL scoring streak of the season and given how strong he’s been lately, he’ll give himself plenty of chances to reach this.

Who’s on D:

Before Wednesday’s game, this preview highlighted the fact that only one Prince George Cougars defenceman had scored a goal this season. That changed on Wednesday when rookie Sam Ruopp notched his first ever WHL goal. Let’s see if lightning can strike twice in a single week. Joe Carvalho, Raymond Grewal and Peter Kosterman have all had chances in recent games, and hopefully tonight one of them can contribute offensively and give the Rockets defense corps something to think about.

Who’s in Goal:

As a new month begins, the Prince George Cougars are hoping that goaltender Ty Edmonds can build off a sensational month of October. Edmonds finished the month with a 5-3-0-2 record with a goals-against-average of 2.42, a .922 save percentage and two shutouts. Edmonds did not have a great game on Tuesday against Vancouver, and will no doubt be excited to return to the crease and get back to his winning ways. Brett Zarowny started Wednesday for PG and earned his team a single point with an overtime loss. Was it enough to earn the nod again tonight? Time will tell.

X-Factor:

The Prince George Cougars penalty kill was much better on Wednesday against Vancouver but the power play struggles continued. The Cougars finished the game zero-for-six and were unable to use the man advantage to their advantage. Tonight, it won’t be any easier as Kelowna has the league’s top penalty kill. But if the Cougars can capitalize on their power plays, it would give them all sorts of confidence. Success on the power play equals success in the win column and hopefully the Cougars can find a way to take advantage of the power play this weekend.