For the fourth time in 10 days, and for a third straight game, the Prince George Cougars will face the Kelowna Rockets tonight at Prospera Place. Over the past handful of weeks, the Cougars have battled hard, moving their playoff push to within a single point of the Tri-City Americans. Should the Cougars win tonight's game in Kelowna, they would leap-frog the Tri-City Americans into eighth place. But the task at hand will once again be a difficult one. These teams have definitely developed quite a hate for each other in recent games, and you know full well that the Kelowna Rockets were none-too-happy dropping a 2-1 decision in Prince George on Saturday night.

OVERVIEW:

Ryan Huska's Kelowna Rockets still have a ton to feel good about, despite Saturday's disappointing result. They are still the top team in the WHL and still the top-ranked team in the all of the CHL. With a record of 48-9-0-4, the Rockets currently hold a three point lead on the Portland Winterhawks for first overall in the West, but have also played in two fewer games. So far this season Kelowna is 6-1 against the Cougars and a perfect 3-0 against them on home ice.

WHO'S UP FRONT:

It should come as zero surprise that Rourke Chartier once again was an offensive factor for the Kelowna Rockets on Saturday night in Prince George. The second year forward had the Rockets lone goal which also marked his 20th of the season. Back on Friday, February 14th it was Chartier who gave Kelowna the 3-2 lead with under 30 seconds remaining in regulation time and he alongside linemates Nick Merkley and Justin Kirkland have really seemed to find a nice chemistry together. Look for Chartier to once again be a factor in tonight's game.

WHO'S ON D:

Defensively it's hard to match the Kelowna Rockets as far as talent and depth are concerned. Madison Bowey and Damon Severson provide a wealth of steady two-way play, while Colten Martin and Mitch Wheaton are there to provide some stability and physicality in the defensive zone. Riley Stadel provides a nice youthful compliment of offense, and Dalton Yorke showed twice on Saturday that he is willing to answer the bell when it comes to fighting. It's as good a top-six as any other team in the WHL, and all of them bring something unique to the table to help Kelowna win games more often than not.

WHO'S IN GOAL:

Once again on Saturday, the Kelowna Rockets received strong goaltending from their 20-year-old veteran Jordan Cooke. Though he gets credited with the loss, Cooke was named second star for his efforts. The saves he made off of Zach Pochiro and Jordan Tkatch in the second period alone, were worth the price of admission. Tonight Ryan Huska could very easily go back to Cooke or he could give Jackson Whistle the tap on the shoulder too. Whistle is 3-0 on the season against the Cougars and has ag oals-against-average under 2.0.

X-FACTOR:

Only three times this season have the Kelowna Rockets lost in regulation on home ice. This gives them a huge edge in most games, and considering some of the late-game heroics that they have already displayed on home ice this season, it will be important for the Cougars to be aware and focused at all times tonight, as a simple mistake could very well cost them a goal or a victory. The Cougars have played Kelowna tough all season in this building, and hopefully tonight is no exception.

OVERVIEW:

Mark Holick's Prince George Cougars come into tonight's game with an overall record of 26-31-3-5. They are one point back of the Tri-City Americans for the eighth placed playoff spot, and tonight they will play their final 'regular season' game against the Kelowna Rockets. After tonight, the schedule gest a little easier for the Cougars who will play five of their remaining six games on home ice. Obviously the Cougars will require some help from opposing teams to keep the Tri-City Americans where they're at, but the Cougars are still in a postion where the best thing they can do is help themselves by winning games.

WHO'S UP FRONT:

With 15 points in his past 15 games, rookie forward Jansen Harkins is starting to hit the scoresheet with some consistency. With the game tied 1-1 in the mid-stages of the third period, Harkins took a pass from Todd Fiddler, skated in alone on Jordan Cooke and tucked home a backhand for his 10th of the season. Harkins now has two game-winning goals on the season, and hit the 30 point mark with his goal. Hopefully Harkins and his linemates have another big game tonight to help get the Cougars into a playoff spot.

WHO'S ON D:

Any success the Cougars have tonight in Kelowna will be largely thanks to a complete defensive effort. Whether it's from Marc McNulty supplying offense or Sam Ruopp throwing a punishing body check, the Cougars need all hands on deck against a hungry and fiery Rockets team that are looking to avenge a Saturday loss.

WHO'S IN GOAL:

With 42 savesa on 43 shots faced on Saturday night, Ty Edmonds more than earned another shot at the Kelowna Rockets here tonight. Edmonds was brilliant on Saturday and showed some of the early season form that allowed him to receive goaltender of the week honors for the entire CHL. Hopefully he's got some more of that goaltending magic in him tonight because he very well might need it.

X-FACTOR:

Why stop at one? With a victory over Kelowna Saturday, the Cougars snapped a skid of 13 straight losses to the Kelowna Rockets. They can either settle for that type of record or they can build on it. Tonight in Kelowna the Cougars will need to bare down and stick to the strengths that allowed them to find success on Saturday. A repeat performance and a repeat effort could very well earn them another huge two points here tonight.