The grind continues this afternoon in Calgary for the Prince George Cougars who will soon be taking the ice for their third game in less than 72 hours. After two tough results in a row, the Cougars will look to salvage some points on this road trip tonight when they clash with Jake Virtanen and the Calgary Hitmen, who are also playing their third game in three nights.

CALGARY HITMEN

Overview:

Mark French’s Calgary Hitmen come into tonight’s game with a 7-5-0-1 record. They are 6-3-0-1 in their last 10 games, and are currently ranked third out of six teams in the Central Division. Last night in Medicine Hat, the Hitmen dropped a 7-5 score to the Tigers. Last season they finished 2-1 against the Cougars and 1-0 against them at the Saddledome.

Who’s Up Front:

On a team loaded with offense, it might come as a bit of a surprise that 18-year-old forward Chase Lang is the one leading the pack offensively with seven goals and 16 points through 12 games. Lang is just three goals shy of matching his total from a season ago, and is playing the game with a ton of confidence right now. He’s got 13 points in his past eight games.

Who’s on D:

Philadelphia Flyer’s prospect Travis Sanheim was one of the biggest draft risers in 2014, and this season he’s showing exactly why that is. Through 12 games, he’s tallied six goals and six assists and is also a +6. The sky’s the limit for Sanheim who is seemingly gaining more confidence with each passing game, and it’s only his second full season in the WHL. The Cougars can expect to see a ton of Sanheim tonight.

Who’s in Goal:

Between the pipes the Hitmen appear to be set with both Mack Shields (19) and Evan Johnson (18). So far Shields is 5-4 with a goals-against-average under 3 and a save percentage that is bang on .900. Johnson is off to a solid rookie campaign in his own right with a 2-1-0-1 record, a 2.46 goals-against-average and a save percentage of .914.

X-Factor:

In only two games this season, Vancouver Canucks top prospect Jake Virtanen has wasted no time making a positive impact. He’s got two goals, and two assists for Calgary and is doing his best to make up for lost time as he sat out the first chunk of games with a shoulder injury. Virtanen is a game-changer, and has the size, skill and speed necessary to make other team’s lives extremely difficult.

 PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS

Overview:

Mark Holick’s Prince George Cougars come into tonight with a 7-8 record which puts them fourth in the ever-close B.C. Division. Offensively the Cougars have managed 44 goals, which puts them right in the middle of the pack in the WHL But defensively the Cougars are looking to improve upon the fact that through 15 games they along with the Portland Winterhawks have surrendered the most goals against in the WHL.

Who’s Up Front:

20-year-old forward Jari Erricson is having a month to remember. In 10 October games, Erricson has tallied nine goals and 12 points. His 10 goals puts him in a six-way tie for most goals in the entire WHL joining Jake Debrusk (Swift Current), Jayce Hawryluk (Brandon), Chad Butcher (Medicine Hat), Tyson Baillie (Kelowna) and Austin Carroll (Victoria). What’s even more impressive about Erricson’s start is the fact that he missed practically all of last season with an injury. He’s on pace to obliterate his previous season high of 13 goals and 28 points.

Who’s on D:

Last night in Edmonton, the Cougars played a solid first 20 minutes, and defensively they were the most sound that they’ve been in weeks. But for whatever reason the tide turned in the second period, and some bad habits crept back into their game. Before the game, head coach Mark Holick singled out both Sam Ruopp and Joseph Carvalho for their consistent play as of late, but also hinted that there are six other defenceman on the team that need to step things up. Tonight in Calgary provides a new opportunity for the Cougars to get better and improve defensively.

Who’s in Goal:

Last night’s game in Edmonton was an all-to-familiar show for the Cougars between the pipes. At times, Ty Edmonds was brilliant, like his two-on-zero save off of Cole Benson. But other times he struggled, and was not able to come up with that one timely save to maybe keep his team ahead, or keep his team tied. There’s no shortage of compete and heart when it comes to Ty Edmonds. And we’ve seen this season that when he’s on, there are few goaltenders in the league that can rival his skillset. With three games in three nights, it might be Tavin Grant’s turn. But regardless of who gets the look, it will be essential for the Cougars to get solid production out of their netminder.

X-Factor:

Simplicity will be the name of the game tonight for Prince George. Both teams are going to be tired, so it will be important for the Cougars to be structurally sound, and anticipate plays as best as possible to make the safe decision. Calgary has a team littered with speedsters and snipers, and if mistakes are made defensively they will make you pay extremely quickly. The Cougars are more than capable of beating Calgary, and beating them handily. But in order to do that they must stick to their strengths. Hopefully tonight they can put it all together and eek out a greasy road victory at the Saddledome.