Some losses are gut-wrenching for a hockey team, while other losses are just plain ugly. Last night though at the CN Centre, the scoresheet showed a 6-3 victory for the Kelowna Rockets, which to the untrained eye appears to be quite a convincing win. But the 2700-plus fans in attendance, and the handfuls of others who followed along on the radio or internet would tell you otherwise. The young and understaffed Cougars took the top team in the WHL to the limit before ultimately surrendering some late goals. If anything last night’s game showed the Cougars that when they play to their strengths, they are right there, and hopefully tonight they can build off of some of the positives that were on display last night.

KELOWNA ROCKETS

Overview:

Dan Lambert’s Kelowna Rockets come into tonight’s game with a 19-1-1 record and the top overall record in the WHL. Last night’s game we saw exactly why the Kelowna Rockets are considered to be a legitimate Memorial Cup contender: Strong special teams, timely goaltending and offensive depth. They have now gone 10 straight games without a regulation loss.

Who’s Up Front:

When the Kelowna Rockets needed timely goals last night, their top goal scorer delivered. Rourke Chartier’s two goals last night now puts him at 22 goals on the season. The San Jose Sharks prospect has scored at least one goal in each of his past nine games, and is now just one point shy of teammate Nick Merkley for the WHL scoring lead.

Who’s on D:

Last night the Rockets offense came largely from the corps of forwards, but that doesn’t mean that the defense didn’t contribute admirably to their victory. The Rockets held the Cougars to 23 shots, and didn’t surrender too many second and third chances. Admittedly the Rockets miss the likes of Mitchell Wheaton and Dalton Yorke back there, but younger players like Devante Stephens and Lucas Johansen filled in admirably and played some valuable minutes for Kelowna. They’ll need a similar group effort tonight from all hands on deck.

Who’s in Goal:

It might not have been 19-year-old Jackson Whistle’s most dominant performance, but in the end he stopped enough pucks to give his team the win, and earn his 18^th victory of the season in the process. Does that warrant the veteran another start here tonight? Or will Dan Lambert decide to give one of either Michael Herringer or Jake Morrissey a look?

X-Factor:

The biggest difference in the game last night for Kelowna was their power play. The league’s leading power play unit finished three for five, and looked dominant at times doing so. It wasn’t for a lack of effort from the Prince George penalty killers, but more of a testament to the skill and execution of the Rockets. The Cougars will need to keep the Rockets power play off the ice as much as possible tonight.

PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS

Overview:

Mark Holick’s Prince George Cougars come into tonight’s game with an 11-10 record and the second best record in the B.C. Division. Last night the Cougars hung right in there with the Rockets, and even out-played them at times, particularly five-on-five. Tonight the Cougars should have some added reinforcements in the lineup, as three older veterans are eligible to return to the lineup. What type of positive effect will that have?

Who’s Up Front:

He did it again. Brad Morrison extended his point streak to eight straight games thanks to a goal in the second period. He’s easily playing his best and most consistent hockey of his career, and the best part of that is that it’s not JUST in the offensive zone. His attention to detail defensively is getting much better and more noticeable, and he’s being rewarded justly for his efforts both with ice-time and points.

Who’s on D:

Defensively the Cougars don’t necessarily need to make any major adjustments perse, but more-so they just need to focus on executing a little bit better in certain areas and situations. The Rockets are a team that will burn you in transition if you let them, and that means that it’s paramount that the Cougars make good first passes out of their own zone and protect the front of their net as best as possible when they’re hemmed in their own zone. The Cougars will need a strong effort from all six defencemen and then some tonight.

Who’s in Goal:

Jared Rathjen made some timely stops last night, but was still on the wrong end of a 6-3 score (the sixth was an empty-netter). Does that mean that either Ty Edmonds or Tavin Grant gets a look tonight? It could be. But regardless of who gets the nod in goal, they are going to need to try and keep the Rockets to three goals or less. When the Cougars hold their opposition to three goals or less this season, they’re undefeated.

X-Factor:

Chance Braid, Jari Erricson and Aaron Macklin are all eligible to return to the lineup tonight. Chance Braid’s suspension is over, while Erricson and Macklin were healthy scratched. All three are vital parts of this team’s success, and when the Cougars are winning games, all three of these players are usually heavily involved. There is no substitute in this league for experience, and getting these three (potentially) back in their lineup tonight will be a major boost for the Prince George Cougars. Hopefully all three can make a profound impact.