When the going gets tough, you often find out what you’re made of. Right now the Prince George Cougars are trapped in a seven game winless streak and obviously the team’s confidence has taken a hit. So far this season the Cougars have shown that they can compete and contend with the elite teams (Everett, Calgary, Kelowna, etc.) but lately they have struggled in all areas and they’re position in the standings has suffered as a result. Tonight, the Cougars will look to regain some of their lost swagger when they take on the Kamloops Blazers for the fourth time this season.

KAMLOOPS BLAZERS

OVERVIEW:

Dave Hunchak’s Kamloops Blazers come into tonight’s game with an overall record of 6-12-1-1. They trail the Prince George Cougars by four points in the B.C. Division standings, and have two games in hand on the Cougars at this stage of the season. The Blazers have lost two in a row and 3-5-1-1 in their past 10 games. So far this season Kamloops is 1-2 against Prince George and 0-1 against the Cougars at home.

WHO’S UP FRONT:

Given the recent trade of Tim Bozon to Kootenay, the Kamloops Blazers are now relying on a new younger crop of forwards to forge their new identity. 18-year-old Dallas Stars prospect Cole Ully has taken full advantage of the opportunity, and has become the Blazers offensive leader. Through 18 games, Ully has 20 points which leads the team. He has three power play goals, is a +9 and gives the Blazers a nice mix of skill and jam.

WHO’S ON D:

One of the huge bright spots for the 2013-2014 Kamloops Blazers has been the emergence of 18-year-old forward Josh Connolly. The Prince George product has nearly tripled his offensive output from last season (four goals, 17 points) in 33 fewer games. Connolly leads all Blazers defenceman in goals and points, and leads all Blazers with four points in three games against the Cougars so far this season.

WHO’S IN GOAL:

During the preseason, Kamloops GM Craig Bonner struck a deal with the Red Deer Rebels that sent 19-year-old netminder Bolton Pouliot to the Blazers in exchange for a sixth round draft pick in 2016.  At the time very little was made of this deal, and now this trade might just be the steal of the season so far. Pouliot has been outstanding for Kamloops posting an even 5-5 record with a 2.78 goals-against-average and a save percentage of .920. Pouliot has led the Blazers to at least one point in three of his past four starts.
 Taran Kozun is the other 19-year-old netminder who has struggled to a 1-7-1-0 record and a 3.85 goals-against-average.

X-FACTOR:

Tonight’s game will pit the WHL’s two worst power play units up against each other. Kamloops comes into tonight with the 22nd best power play (11.7%) unit while the Cougars are a few pecentiles ahead of them (12.2%). If the Blazers want to win tonight, they will need their special teams to play a part. The Cougars are coming off a game where they gave Vancouver eight power play chances and if Kamloops gets power play chances, they’ll need to take advantage of them.

PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS

OVERVIEW:

Mark Holick’s Prince George Cougars are getting set to play their third game in three nights. So far they have been outscored 10-3 on this road trip, and have dropped games to both Kelowna and Vancouver. Lately it feels as if nothing has gone right for this group. They’ve struggled to score at one end, and have surrendered 40 or more shots against in each of their past four games. Only four points separates the Cougars from Kamloops, and a win tonight for PG would give them some much needed seperation given that Kamloops holds two games in hand.

WHO’S UP FRONT:

The teams that win consistently in the WHL are the ones that get consistent contributions form their top players. In October it was virtually a given that Chase Witala, Zach Pochiro and Troy Bourke would find the score sheet on a nightly basis. Lately that hasn’t been the case. Tonight in Kamloops the Cougars top players MUST be their best players. It’s as simple as that.

WHO’S ON D:

With Marc McNulty (injury) and Raymond Grewal (healthy) sitting in the stands last night, it gave an opportunity for rookie Tate Olson to play some more minutes. Olson took advantage of the opportunity and played one of his best career games in the WHL. He assisted on the Cougars lone goal, and looked more comfortable and poised as the game went on. Olson’s development is going be a major key in the Cougars future success and hopefully he can build off of last night with another solid outing tonight.

WHO’S IN GOAL:

Friday night in Kelowna, Ty Edmonds was sensational. Saturday night in Vancouver, Ty Edmonds was below average and was yanked. Edmonds has now been pulled in three of his past four games, and right now that brilliant month of October feels like a distant memory. But Ty Edmonds continues to battle, and it’s inevitable that a young goaltender will experience some highs and lows during their rookie season. Edmonds is 2-0 this season against Kamloops, with a goals-against-average of 0.50 through two starts. Should Edmonds get the nod tonight, it will be important for him to do his part to help and perhaps steal a win on the road. If Brett Zarowny goes in goal – Same thing.

X-FACTOR:

Two things:

1) The Cougars need to cut down on the number of shots they surrender.

2) Their top guys need to score goals.

They do these things, and they’ll give themselves every opportunity to win. The Cougars and Blazers are one of the best rivalries in the WHL, and tonight’s game should prove to be another exciting chapter for all involved.