If there is one certainty in the WHL it’s that ‘nothing is at all certain.’ Last night at the CN Centre a badly out-manned Prince George Cougars team scrapped and clawed their way to a 6-5 shootout victory over the Vancouver Giants. The Cougars trailed four different times, but stuck with it, and earned the victory. Now tonight, for a third time this season the Cougars are staring a possible home weekend sweep in the eye.

Overview:

Don Hay’s Vancouver Giants probably deserved a better fate than the one they received last night. They led for an overwhelming majority of the game, and once again proved to be a very difficult foe for Prince George. The shootout loss extends Vancouvers streak of eight games securing at least one point. They are 11-11-4-2 and are two points ahead of the Cougars for eighth place in the Western Conference standings.

Who’s Up Front:

Last night the Giants got an offensive boost from 19-year-old forward Dalton Sward. Sward scored three times for Vancouver, and was named the game’s first star for his efforts. Of his six goals this season, four have come against Prince George and two have been scored shorthanded. Making matters extra special is the fact that Sward played in his 200th career game last night.

Who’s on D:

In four games against the Cougars this season, Vancouver d-man Brett Kulak has four goals and seven points which is tops among all Giants players. Kulak had a game-tying goal for Vancouver in last night’s game, and once again logged a ton of valuable minutes for Don Hay’s team in all situations. In 28 games this season Kulak has tallied 29 points, which is second most on the team behind only Carter Popoff.

Who’s in Goal:

For just the second time in two seasons, Payton Lee lost a decision to the Prince George Cougars last night. Lee faced 34 shots in regulation and overtime, and stopped 29 of them. Lee made a few big stops throughout the game, but it would be a stretch to suggest that the goaltending on either side of the equation was overly strong. Don Hay hinted before the weekend that both Payton Lee and Jared Rathjen would see some playing time in Prince George, and tonight could be Rathjen’s night to once again strut his stuff in front of friends and family in Prince George.

X-Factor:

One of the major weaknesses for the Vancouver Giants this season has been protecting leads. This season the Giants are just 7-9 on the season when they score the first goal. Normally the first goal gives a team a ton of momentum and spark, but the Giants have had trouble all season building off their leads. Should they score the first goal tonight it will be important for them to hold on to their lead and not allow the Cougars to fight their way back.

Overview:

Mark Holick’s Prince George Cougars have inched their way a little bit closer to eighth place thanks to last night’s victory. With a record of 11-15-1-3 the Cougars are now two points back of Vancouver and have put themselves into a good position to earn their first double-header sweep of the 2013-2014 season. The Cougars are a badly injured team right now who are down six regulars due to injury and another due to suspension. It would be easy to find excuses, but right now the Cougars are doing their best to stay positive. They’ve won three of their last five altogether.

Who’s Up Front:

When the Cougars needed a goal in the late stages of last night’s game their leading goal scorer delivered. With just under two minutes to go and with the net empty, Chase Witala pounced on a loose puck and fired one past Payton Lee for his second of the game and 18th of the season. He also had the shootout winning goal, which move his goal total for November up to eight. The third-year forward has already surpassed his goal total from last season, and hopefully tonight he can strike again a time or two.

Who’s on D:

When a team is ravaged by injuries it’s up to the rest of the roster to step up and make positive contributions. Last night it was 20-year-old defenceman Peter Kosterman who tallied three assists for the Cougars which marked the first time in his five year WHL career that he has accomplished that type of feat. Tonight the Cougars will need all hands on deck again from both the forwards and the defense. If they can get a similar effort they’ll give themselves a chance.

Who’s in Goal:

Five minutes into the pre-game warmup last night the Prince George Cougars received another injury blow when goaltender Brett Zarowny left warmup and did not return. Zarowny was scheduled to start the game in goal, but had to give way to Ty Edmonds who was thrust into action for a second straight game. Edmonds faced 51 shots through 65 minutes, and stopped 46 of Vancouver’s attempts. Were there some goals that he’d like back? Absolutely. But the important stat at the end of the day is the ‘W’ and Edmonds bounced back from a couple of tough outings and did enough to help lead the Cougars to victory. Tonight Edmonds will be charged with the task of doing it again. Is he up to the challenge?

X-Factor:

For the Cougars nothing changes as far as the approach and the effort. Obviously the Cougars need to cut down on the shots against and will need to make some improvements defensively. But the major key for the Cougars tonight will be to continue their offensive success and timely scoring. It all starts with puck possession. If the Cougars can win faces and take advantage of their offensive chances while providing strong protection in their own zone, they’re going to give themselves every opportunity to earn their first weekend home sweep of 2013-2014.