March 30^th, 2011. A 4-2 loss to the Kelowna Rockets. The attendance: 2346. That was the last WHL playoff game that was played at the CN Centre prior to tonight.

Fast forward four years, and here we are on April 1^st, getting ready for what is bound to be the most exciting home game of the 2014-15 season to date. After two great efforts with nothing to show for it, the Prince George Cougars will return to the friendly confines of the CN Centre tonight, and will look to hold serve at home when they battle the Victoria Royals in Game 3 of the Western Conference quarterfinal B.C. Division two-three series matchup. If Games 1 and 2 are any indication, the fans are going to be in for an absolute treat tonight.

VICTORIA ROYALS

Overview:

Dave Lowry’s Victoria Royals come into tonight’s game with a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series with the Prince George Cougars.  They’ve outscored the Cougars 10-7 so far in the series and have put themselves into a favorable position so far in this series. Saturday night in Game 2, the Royals never trailed, but found themselves on their heels for a large majority of the game. But never the less, the veteran-laden team managed to hang on to the 5-4 victory. During the regular season, the Royals put together a record of 2-2 in games played at the CN Centre.

Who’s Up Front:

With five goals and one assist last weekend against the Cougars, 20-year-old forward Brandon Magee was named both the WHL and CHL Player of the Week. He’s got the game winning goal in each of the first two games of this series, and has now scored 22 goals and 28 assists (50 points) in 38 career games against the Prince George Cougars. Keeping Magee and his linemates Austin Carroll and Alex Forsberg in check are now practically vital to the playoff success of the Prince George Cougars as the series now shifts to P.G.

Who’s on D:

In the first two games of this series, Victoria captain Joe Hicketts has been a rock on the Victoria blueline. With three assists in two games, Hicketts has done his part offensively while supplying some extremely valuable minutes defensively for Dave Lowry on the back-end. Hicketts is a +5 in two games so far this series, and has rarely (if ever) been caught on the wrong side of the puck. Look for Hicketts to be a major factor for the Royals again defensively tonight.

Who’s in Goal:

So far in Games 1 and 2, Victoria’s goaltending has been good, but not great. That said, Coleman Vollrath has made timely saves when he’s needed to, and is 2-0 in the series. His 2-0 record is complimented by a goals-against-average of 3.50 and a save percentage of .892. Sometimes it’s not the amount of saves you make, but rather when they are made, and so far in the series Vollrath has held the upper hand. Tonight the Cougars will need to pepper him from everywhere on the ice, and hopefully they can make life as difficult as possible for the veteran Victoria netminder.

X-Factor:

At even strength, the Royals have been the more productive team, outscoring the Cougars 9-2 but special teams has been somewhat of a sore spot for the Royals in the first two games of the series. Victoria is scoreless on their first five power play attempts of the series, and their penalty kill is clicking at just 50% through two games. Of course that total is bound to improve as the series progresses, but right now the Royals can’t afford to take as many penalties, because the Cougars are doing their part when given the opportunity. Five-on-five or better is always the name of the game when you’re on the road.

PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS

Overview:

Mark Holick’s Prince George Cougars are coming into Game 3 feeling confident. Sure they’re down 2-0 in the series, but it’s not because of a lack of effort. Realistically, the Cougars could have won both games on Vancouver Island, and a few bounces here and there were the ultimate difference. Tonight’s Game 3 is obviously important though for the Cougars who will have the home crowd behind them. A 2-1 series feels a lot better than a 3-0 series deficit, particularly when it comes to the mental approach to future games in the series. A victory tonight would give the Cougars their first playoff victory since April 25^th, 2007.

Who’s Up Front:

The good news for the Cougars stemming from Game 2 is that their top offensive players did their part to give their team a chance to win. Jansen Harkins, Chase Witala and Zach Pochiro all got onto the scoreboard, while the trio of Brad Morrison, David Soltes and Jari Erricson played well too. Morrison followed up a two-point effort in Game 1 with two more in Game 2, and leads all Cougars with four points in two games. As the series progresses, so will the intensity and the tight-checking play. Since the Cougars are the home team tonight, they’ll be able to control the matchups a little better, and hopefully that bodes well for them tonight.

Who’s on D:

With three goals in two games, 17-year-old defenceman Tate Olson leads all Cougars goal scorers so far in the series. The draft-eligible defenceman from Saskatoon has played extremely well at both ends of the ice along with his partner Joe Carvalho, and one has to think that his draft stock only continues to rise with his strong postseason play. Olson has always had a knack for offense, and now it’s amazing what a bit of confidence and seasoning can do. If this is a sign of things to come from Olson over the next few years, the Prince George Cougars have themselves a real keeper!

Who’s in Goal:

Tonight it’s Ty Edmonds chance to step up and be counted. Edmonds has made some stellar saves over the course of Games 1 and 2, but an 0-2 record with a 4.69 goals-against-average and an .816 save percentage is not what we’ve been accustomed too over the past few months. The ability is there. We all know this! And hopefully tonight at home he can get his game back to the level that has seen him go 6-0-1-1 over his past eight starts at home. When Ty Edmonds is at his best, there are few goaltenders in the league that can rival him. For the Cougars to get back into this series, Ty Edmonds will need to play a major part.

X-Factor:

Mark Holick has said time and time again this season that a loud and mighty crowd is worth at least a goal for his team. Well tonight the Prince George Cougars faithful have a real opportunity to also step up and be counted.  This is the first playoff game in over four years played in Prince George, and when you factor in all of the prior excitement of the season with the New Ice Age – Tonight’s game has all of the makings of another ‘classic’ memory from a truly memorable season.  A victory tonight for the Cougars truly means ‘game on’ for this two-three B.C. Division quarterfinal series, and rest assured, the Prince George Cougars and their fans will be ready.