Tonight the Prince George Cougars continue their three game Alberta road swing at Rexall Place against the 2014 Memorial Cup Champs, the Edmonton Oil Kings. Coming into tonight, the Cougars have dropped three straight games, while their opponents have gone five straight games without a regulation loss.

EDMONTON OIL KINGS

Overview:

Steve Hamilton’s Oil Kings are 7-3-0-1 to start their season. They’ve surrendered the second fewest goals against in the entire WHL and although they lost some significant offense from last year’s team, they’re getting steady offensive contributions from throughout their lineup. Last season the Oil Kings were 2-1 against Prince George.

Who’s Up Front:

Heading into tonight’s game, Dallas Stars prospect Brett Pollock is tied for the team lead in scoring with four goals and nine points in 10 games. Pollock’s coming out party came last season when he scored 25 goals and 55 points after only scoring twice during his 16-year-old season. At 6’3” and 193 pounds, Pollock is tough to contain, and is known for making life difficult on the opposition. Defensively the Cougars will need to do what they can to keep him in check tonight.

Who’s on D:

19-year-old Ben Carroll leads all Edmonton defenders with two goals, eight points and a +7 rating through his first 11 games on the season. Carroll is a prime example of a player who the Oil Kings have been patient with, and now in his second full season with the team he has really started to gain some confidence at both ends of the ice. At one point this season, Carroll had registered a point in eight consecutive games.

Who’s in Goal:

Pittsburgh Penguins draft pick Tristan Jarry is about as steady as it gets in the WHL for goaltenders. So far this season, Jarry is 5-3-0-1 with a .917 save percentage and a 2.30 goals-against-average. He’s guaranteed to get a good long look when it comes to Canada’s 2014-15 World Junior hopes, and is one of those goaltenders who can win games on his own. His back up is Patrick Dea who is 2-0 in three games played this season.

X-Factor:

Defensively the Edmonton Oil Kings may lack the star power of seasons past, but they are a team that takes a ton of pride in their defensive systems, and through 11 games it has shown. Only the Medicine Hat Tigers have surrendered fewer goals against than Edmonton, and the Oil Kings are the type of team that are very patient and opportunistic, which means that the Cougars are going to need to move their feet, and take advantage of their chances when they get them.

PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS

Overview:

Mark Holick’s Prince George Cougars come into tonight with an even 7-7 record through 14 games. Last night in Red Deer, the Cougars held two different leads in the game, but were unable to hold off the Rebels who struck for four unanswered goals in the second period. Tonight the Cougars know that they’re going to be in tough against the defending champs, but the Cougars have also shown a strong ability to bounce back after tough games this season. When the Cougars play to their strengths there is not a team in the WHL that they can’t go nose-to-nose with. Tonight you can expect a very hungry, hard-nosed effort from the visitors.

Who’s Up Front:

Secondary scoring continues to be a bright spot for the Cougars, at least lately. Last night the Cougars got their token goal from the top trio of Chase Witala, Jansen Harkins and Jari Erricson, but also got goals from Brad Morrison and Tyler Mrkonjic. As the season wears on, there’s no doubt that Harkins, Erricson and Witala are going to continually have to battle the other team’s top defensive pairing, which means that other players will need to take advantage of their offensive chances when called uppn.

Who’s on D:

Consistency is a word thrown around an awful lot in this game, but Cougars defenceman Sam Ruopp is doing everything possible to make consistency a stronger part of his game. Ruopp once again found the score sheet with an assist last night, and played extremely physically once again and now sits second overall in the WHL with 46 penalty minutes. He also leads the WHL in fighting majors. Hopefully tonight can be another big night for Ruopp.

Who’s in Goal:

Ty Edmonds continues to battle, but over the past three games there hasn’t been a ton that has gone his way as far as bounces and puck luck are concerned. The Winnipeg, MB product continues to be a major work horse for his team, and will likely get the nod again tonight in Edmonton. Tonight Edmonds and his teammates will need to be mindful of how opportunistic the Oil Kings are. When a team is struggling, often they need their goaltender to steal a game for them, and right now that might have to be the case to help restore some of the Cougars swagger.

X-Factor:

Sometimes you can’t control the bounces, but 100 percent of the time you can control the effort that you put forth. Tonight the Cougars have a chance to make a real solid statement in a tough building against a tough team. There will undoubtedly be some vast momentum swings, and when the chips are down it will be up to the young Cougars to stay composed, and to stay mentally tough. There is a strong sense of belief inside that dressing room, and tonight has all of the makings for a fun and special night in Edmonton, provided the Cougars put forth the necessary effort.