Forget the clichés and the over-dramatic descriptions. When it comes to tonight’s game is simple: The Prince George Cougars simply CANNOT lose. With only three games remaining in their season, the playoffs remain a possibility. But with each passing loss comes a more realistic possibility that the Cougars time is running out. Last night could have worked out perfectly had the Cougars maintained their 2-0 lead through two periods, but the Spokane Chiefs had other ideas, and tonight the Chiefs have a chance to really put a damper on the Cougars flickering playoff hopes.

 

 

OVERVIEW:

Don Nachbaur’s team were out-played for a large majority of last night’s game, but found a way to score four goals on nine shots to give them the come-from-behind victory. It was a big win for Spokane as they stayed one point ahead of Everett, who did the Cougars a major favor by beating Tri-City on the road last night. The win also snapped a three game losing streak for Spokane, and tonight they’ll look to get the weekend double-header sweep in Prince George.

 

WHO’S UP FRONT:

Though he didn’t score any goals, the league’s leading point-scorer Mitch Holmberg made his presence felt in the final period. The 20-year-old assisted on two of the four Spokane goals, and he along with linemate Mike Aviani showed precisely why they are one of the most feared pairings in the entire WHL. Through 40 minutes Holmberg was held in check, but for the final 20 he was the best forward on the ice for either team.

 

WHO’S ON D:

The first star of last night’s game was Spokane defenceman Reid Gow who finished the night with three assists. Not only was Gow impressive offensively, but his attention to detail defensively was impressive as well. Gow and his defence partner Jason Fram broke up countless Cougar rushes, and that steady two-way play is exactly why Reid Gow and Jason Fram might be considered the best kept defensive secret in the WHL.

 

WHO’S IN GOAL:

20-year-old Eric Williams got the night off last night in favor of the younger Garrett Hughson, but the odds are that Don Nachbaur goes back to his veteran tonight in the rematch. Williams is 2-0 on the season against Prince George, and will provide a tough task and test for the Cougars shooters as he always seems to do.

 

X-FACTOR:

Spokane has already accomplished a split, but how bad do they want a sweep? They have a great chance to play a spoiler role for the Cougars here tonight, but in order to do that they will have to match the Cougars level of desperation. If they can do that again, it could be a very solemn night for the Cougars.

 

 

OVERVIEW:

Mark Holick’s Prince George Cougars are on their last legs when it comes to a playoff birth. In order to give themselves any realistic chance of getting to the dance, the Cougars will need to win out their remaining three games, and hope that Tri-City goes a maximum of 1-4 in their final five. It’s not entirely out of the realm of possibilities, but the Cougars can no longer afford to lose. Of course, stranger things have happened and as long as the Cougars are alive, they have a chance. But tonight the Cougars will need to let it all hang out and will have to do everything possible to secure two points. At the other end, Tri-City is in Kelowna, which should be a tough test for them.

 

WHO’S UP FRONT:

Sure the Cougars got goals from Todd Fiddler and Troy Bourke, but they also missed a number of quality offensive chances in the second period which could have put the Chiefs away for good. Mark Holick made it no secret after last night’s game that he expects more and he expects better from the veteran forwards. Hopefully tonight can be a bounce-back type of night for all of the forwards for Prince George.

 

WHO’S ON D:

Through 40 minutes the Cougars put forth one of their strongest defensive efforts in recent memory, and held Mitch Holmberg and Mike Aviani without a sniff for two periods. But 40 minutes isn’t good enough, and tonight the Cougars will need to try and learn from their mistakes and rectify them before all is lost and it’s too late.

 

WHO’S IN GOAL:

Does anybody have a three-sided coin that they’d like to flip? Arguments could be made for and against any of the three Cougars netminders: Brett Zarowny, Ty Edmonds and Adam Beukeboom. Whoever gets the nod will be tasked with winning the most important game of the Cougars season on home ice. Time will tell.

 

X-FACTOR:

Desperate times call for desperate actions. Are the Cougars going to be willing to pay any possible price necessary for victory? It may require a few stitches and bruises when all is said and done, but with the playoffs hanging in the balance, the Cougars MUST leave it all out there tonight.

Forget the clichés and the over-dramatic descriptions. When it comes to tonight’s game is simple: The Prince George Cougars simply CANNOT lose. With only three games remaining in their season, the playoffs remain a possibility. But with each passing loss comes a more realistic possibility that the Cougars time is running out. Last night could have worked out perfectly had the Cougars maintained their 2-0 lead through two periods, but the Spokane Chiefs had other ideas, and tonight the Chiefs have a chance to really put a damper on the Cougars flickering playoff hopes.

 

 

OVERVIEW:

Don Nachbaur’s team were out-played for a large majority of last night’s game, but found a way to score four goals on nine shots to give them the come-from-behind victory. It was a big win for Spokane as they stayed one point ahead of Everett, who did the Cougars a major favor by beating Tri-City on the road last night. The win also snapped a three game losing streak for Spokane, and tonight they’ll look to get the weekend double-header sweep in Prince George.

 

WHO’S UP FRONT:

Though he didn’t score any goals, the league’s leading point-scorer Mitch Holmberg made his presence felt in the final period. The 20-year-old assisted on two of the four Spokane goals, and he along with linemate Mike Aviani showed precisely why they are one of the most feared pairings in the entire WHL. Through 40 minutes Holmberg was held in check, but for the final 20 he was the best forward on the ice for either team.

 

WHO’S ON D:

The first star of last night’s game was Spokane defenceman Reid Gow who finished the night with three assists. Not only was Gow impressive offensively, but his attention to detail defensively was impressive as well. Gow and his defence partner Jason Fram broke up countless Cougar rushes, and that steady two-way play is exactly why Reid Gow and Jason Fram might be considered the best kept defensive secret in the WHL.

 

WHO’S IN GOAL:

20-year-old Eric Williams got the night off last night in favor of the younger Garrett Hughson, but the odds are that Don Nachbaur goes back to his veteran tonight in the rematch. Williams is 2-0 on the season against Prince George, and will provide a tough task and test for the Cougars shooters as he always seems to do.

 

X-FACTOR:

Spokane has already accomplished a split, but how bad do they want a sweep? They have a great chance to play a spoiler role for the Cougars here tonight, but in order to do that they will have to match the Cougars level of desperation. If they can do that again, it could be a very solemn night for the Cougars.

 

 

OVERVIEW:

Mark Holick’s Prince George Cougars are on their last legs when it comes to a playoff birth. In order to give themselves any realistic chance of getting to the dance, the Cougars will need to win out their remaining three games, and hope that Tri-City goes a maximum of 1-4 in their final five. It’s not entirely out of the realm of possibilities, but the Cougars can no longer afford to lose. Of course, stranger things have happened and as long as the Cougars are alive, they have a chance. But tonight the Cougars will need to let it all hang out and will have to do everything possible to secure two points. At the other end, Tri-City is in Kelowna, which should be a tough test for them.

 

WHO’S UP FRONT:

Sure the Cougars got goals from Todd Fiddler and Troy Bourke, but they also missed a number of quality offensive chances in the second period which could have put the Chiefs away for good. Mark Holick made it no secret after last night’s game that he expects more and he expects better from the veteran forwards. Hopefully tonight can be a bounce-back type of night for all of the forwards for Prince George.

 

WHO’S ON D:

Through 40 minutes the Cougars put forth one of their strongest defensive efforts in recent memory, and held Mitch Holmberg and Mike Aviani without a sniff for two periods. But 40 minutes isn’t good enough, and tonight the Cougars will need to try and learn from their mistakes and rectify them before all is lost and it’s too late.

 

WHO’S IN GOAL:

Does anybody have a three-sided coin that they’d like to flip? Arguments could be made for and against any of the three Cougars netminders: Brett Zarowny, Ty Edmonds and Adam Beukeboom. Whoever gets the nod will be tasked with winning the most important game of the Cougars season on home ice. Time will tell.

 

X-FACTOR:

Desperate times call for desperate actions. Are the Cougars going to be willing to pay any possible price necessary for victory? It may require a few stitches and bruises when all is said and done, but with the playoffs hanging in the balance, the Cougars MUST leave it all out there tonight.