Tonight in Vancouver, the Prince George Cougars will close the book on an eventful 2013 when they face the Vancouver Giants at the Pacific Coliseum. For the Cougars it's certainly been a year, and a season of ups and downs, but as they prepare for their 40th game of the season there is still a strong 'glass half full' mentality among the staff and the players. So far the Cougars six game road trip ha given them two wins and three losses. A win tonight in Vancouver would not only give them a .500 record for the trip, but also allows them to head into 2014 with their heads held high. As always though, the Vancouver Giants are not about to make things easy for the Cougars.

OVERVIEW:

Don Hay's Vancouver Giants will be playing their third game in three nights tonight when they host the Prince George Cougars for a third time this season. So far the Giants are 1-1 on this stretch having lost to Kelowna on Saturday before bouncing back with a 4-3 road victory last night in Kamloops. Overall the Giants are 18-14-5-2 this season, which is good enough for the seventh best record in the Western Conference. So far this season the Giants are 4-2 against the Cougars, but are coming off a 3-1 loss to Prince George back on December 15th.

WHO'S UP FRONT:

20-year-old forward Cain Franson has had an excellent month of December posting seven goals and 13 points in 10 games so far this month. Franson had two goals last night for the Giants in their victory against Kamloops and has recorded 27 career points in 25 career games against the Prince George Cougars. Franson has an excellent shot, is strong on the puck, and is one of many Vancouver players who are incredibly difficult to play against, and tonight should be no exception.

WHO'S ON D:

With 37 points in 39 games, 19-year-old Calgary Flames prospect Brett Kulak continues to put together an excellent season at both ends for the Giants. He's got deceptive speed and smarts, and his ability to make quick and smart decisions makes him an incredibly difficult player to defend against. Add the fact that his shot is hard and accurate, and it's easy to see why he's put up seven points in six games against the Cougars so far this season.

WHO'S IN GOAL:

Prince George's Jared Rathjen is putting together one heck of a season for the Vancouver Giants. After a tough start, Rathjen has bounced back with some gawdy numbers, including a 2-0 record against Prince George so far this season. Altogether he is 7-4-2-1 with a 3.01 goals-against-average and a save percentage of .901. Odds are good that the Cougars will face Rathjen tonight due to the fact that Payton Lee played last night in Kamloops.

X-FACTOR:

Anytime you have to play three games in three nights it's very difficult, let alone when you have a Prince George Cougars team waiting for you in your own city. Don Hay's teams always pride themselves on their relentless work-ethic and smarts, and tonight they will need both of those things to be successful. The key for Vancouver will managing their shift-length and staying discplined. Scoring first and early would also be a factor for them as the Cougars have struggled early in their two previous games, surrendering seven goals over their past two first periods.

OVERVIEW:

The Prince George Cougars had a lot to feel good about after a 3-1 victory in Vancouver on December 15th. They went into the holiday break just four points back of eighth place, and had won two of the first three games of their current six game road swing. The first two games after the break have not gone according to plan for the Cougars who have been outscored 13-3 in two losses to Victoria, and have allowed seven of those goals in the first period of games. Tonight it's imperative for the Cougars to right some wrongs in the defensive end, and to try and take advantage of a Vancouver team that should be the more fatigued group.

WHO'S UP FRONT:

With 11 points in eight December games, forward Jordan Tkatch continues to be the model of consistency for the Prince George Cougars. He has recorded at least one point in every single game the Cougars have played this month, and is on pace to shatter his previous season high for points (20 back in 2011-2012). Tkatch had a goal for the Cougars back on December 15th against Vancouver, and hopefully he's got a few more up his sleeve tonight at the Coliseum.

WHO'S ON D:

After a lengthy break due to injury, it was nice to see Raymond Grewal back in the lineup for the Cougars on Saturday in Victoria. The second-year defenceman has had a hot-and-cold first half, but looked strong in his return, and should be able to provide Mark Holick and Jason Becker with some dependable minutes tonight in Vancouver.

WHO'S IN GOAL:

The last time Ty Edmonds faced the Vancouver Giants he was brilliant making 41 saves on 42 shots faced ne route to the 3-1 win on December 15th. Since then Edmonds has struggled in both of his games since the break, but hopefully a day of practice and rest yesterday can help him get his focus and confidence back. Tonight will be his 12th straight start, and if the Cougars are going to want to earn their 15th win of the season, they will need Edmonds to play a vital role.

X-FACTOR:

The Cougars have a poor start in each of their past two games, and it has cost them dearly. On the road in Vancouver the Cougars will need to try and establish themselves early. Whether it's a goal, a save, a fight, or even just some solid two-way consistent play, the Cougars cannot afford to go down early to Vancouver at home. The Cougars confidence might be a tad fragile right now, and the first goal and a good start would do wonders for that confidence tonight on the road.