Tonight the CN Center should be hopping as the Prince George Cougars begin their final week of regular season play. Tonight Mark Holick’s Prince George Cougars face the Kamloops Blazers for the sixth time this season. A regulation victory for the Cougars would ensure that at the very least that the Cougars would get a ‘play-in’ tiebreaker game to get into the playoffs. Standing in their way, a Kamloops Blazers team that is biting at their heels. It’s a battle of two teams whose playoff fates remain undecided. It has the makings of a classic final week of play, and full credit to the WHL schedule-makers who were truly onto something with setting this all up.

KAMLOOPS BLAZERS

Overview:

Don Hay’s Kamloops Blazers come into tonight’s game with an overall record of 27-35-3-4. Their 61 points have them ranked ninth in the Western Conference and fourth in the B.C. Division two points back of the Prince George Cougars for third place in the division. Last Wednesday the Blazers defeated the Cougars 7-4 and that improved their season series record against Prince George to 2-3. Two of those three losses to the Cougars came at the CN Centre. In their last 10 games, Kamloops is 5-4-1-0.

Who’s Up Front:

Dallas Stars prospect Cole Ully leads all Kamloops players with 33 goals and 89 points in 66 games. Ully definitely drives the bus offensively for Kamloops, and his flanked by two very capable players in Matt Needam and Deven Sideroff. Ully has posted two goals and five assists in just three games played against the Cougars this season. Keeping Ully and his linemates in check this week will be a top priority for the Cougars defensively

Who’s on D:

Defensively the Blazers are led by 1995-born Swiss defenceman Michael Fora. He leads all Kamloops defenceman in scoring with six goals and 32 points. Three of his six goal this season have come against the Prince George Cougars. Fora checks in at 6’3” and 205 pounds and can answer the bell physically while also chipping in offensively. You can expect to see a lot of Michael Fora, particularly on the power play.

Who’s in Goal:

17-year-old rookie Connor Ingram has been a pillar of strength for the Kamloops Blazers this season.  In 49 games, Ingram has posted a record of 20-19-2-3 with a .902 save percentage and a goals-against-average of just under 3. He’s also tacked on three shutouts this season. In three games this season against the Cougars, Kehler is 2-0-0-1 with a .918 save percentage and a 2.59 goals-against-average. Odds are that he’ll get the start tonight.

X-Factor:

Speed. The Kamloops Blazers have a lot of it, and they are not afraid to use it. Last Wednesday in Kamloops they used their speed to their advantage. The Cougars defense had a really tough time slowing down the Blazers who clicked for seven goals that night. How do you limit their speed? Well it starts by not turning pucks over, and not allowing them to gain some speed and traction in the other direction.

PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS

Overview:

Mark Holick’s Prince George Cougars enter play tonight in complete control of their own playoff fate. Their record of 29-35-2-3 gives them 63 points, and a two point cushion on both Kamloops and the Tri-City Americans. A regulation victory tonight coupled with a Tri-City regulation loss on Friday would help the Cougars clinch third place in the B.C. Division. Otherwise three points from the Cougars over their next three games would help them do it. This season they are 3-2 against Kamloops and are 2-0 against them at home.

Who’s Up Front:

Cougars 19-year-old forward Chase Witala comes into tonight’s game riding a four game goal scoring streak. The Cougars leading goal scorer now has 37 on the season, and five goals over his last four games including two against Portland in Saturday’s victory. Witala just has one goal in five games this season against the Blazers, so I’m sure the Cougars would love to see a breakout game and a breakout week for Witala and his linemates. He’s always been a very streaky scorer meaning when he scores goals they usually come in bunches. Hopefully he’s got a few more up his sleeve for tonight.

Who’s on D:

Tonight the Prince George Cougars will need complete and total defensive buy in from everyone, not just their defencemen. Assistant Coach Mike Hengen has used Sam Ruopp and Tomas Andrlik as his shutdown defensive pair, and that likely won’t change tonight as Ruopp and Andrlik will likely go up against Ully, Needham and Sideroff. The biggest thing again tonight for the Cougars is to limit turnovers and not allow the Blazers to use their speed off the rush. A big night defensively would go a long way in helping the Cougars clinch their playoff spot.

Who’s In Goal:

Ty Edmonds will in all likelihood get his 11^th straight start tonight when the Cougars clash with the Blazers. Edmonds March numbers aren’t quite where they were in February, yet he’s made the necessary saves and he’s helped his team win games. His record this season against Kamloops is 3-2 with a .904 save percentage and a 3.35 goals-against-average. Hopefully Ty Edmonds can do his part to help lead his team to victory tonight.

X-Factor:

Same as in Portland, the Prince George Cougars need to dictate the game tonight. It starts with getting lots of shots on the net and getting second and third chances when possible. The Cougars are their best when they are disciplined, physical and moving their feet in all three zones. Tonight in front of what will no doubt be an excitable crowd, the Cougars just need to stay within themselves, enjoy the moment and put forth a good effort. As Mark Holick often says, “The hardest working team will win more often than not.”