Tonight at the CN Centre, the Prince George C ougars will look to turn the page on last night’s results, a 5-2 setback courtesy of the Tri-City Americans. The 5-2 score was certainly not indicative of the Cougars effort or lack of offensive chances, but nevertheless the Cougars record now sits at 1-3. Tonight they’ll take aim at a weekend split as they get set to tackle the same opponent, the Tri-City Americans at CN Centre.

TRI-CITY AMERICANS

Overview:

Mike Williamsons’ Tri-City Americans have started their season with a 3-1-1 record.  They’ve won three straight games and have captured at least a point in four straight. Last night in Prince George the Americans were the more opportunistic team, converting on five of their 25 shots despite surrendering 33 shots against. They were two-for-five on the power play, killed off all four of their penalties and got sensational goaltending when needed.

Who’s Up Front:

Offensively the Americans weren’t led by one or two players, but rather their depth was a big time bright spot again. They got goals from five different players including four forwards, and four forwards each chipped in with two-point games. The 20-year-old duo of Parker Bowles and Beau McCue each had a goal and an assist, and night in-night out they tend to be the top forwards for this Tri-City group. Keeping those two in check will be important tonight in the rematch.

Who’s on D:

Defensively the Tri-City Americans ‘big three’ of Brandon Carlo, Parker Wotherspoon and Juuso Valiamki were solid at both ends of the ice. All three factored in on the score sheet, and all three logged some big minutes all situations for the Ams. Wotherspoon and Carlo were particularly impressive as they spent most of the game lined up against the Cougars top crop of forwards. Once again tonight the Cougars can expect a steady diet of these three.

Who’s in Goal:

Despite some shaky numbers early in the season, goaltender Evan Sarthou proved last night why he is considered one of the top goaltenders in the WHL and the USA. Sarthou turned aside 31 of the 33 shots he faced, and at least five of those shots were A+ opportunities that he managed to keep out of his net. Without question last night’s game looks a lot different if not for his performance in goal. Does that mean he gets the nod once again tonight? Or does backup Nick Sanders get his first taste of action in 2015-16?

X-Factor:

The Tri-City Americans know that they are heading home with a weekend split regardless of tonight’s outcome. The question is: Are they content with that, or do they keep the pedal down and settle for nothing less than a sweep? Both teams are going to make adjustments, and the Americans are certainly going to want to cut down on the number of shots and high quality chances against in tonight’s rematch. It’s no secret that the team that loses the first game often bounces back with a better outcome in the rematch, and the Americans will need to be mindful of that as the Cougars will have revenge on their minds tonight.

PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS

Overview:

Mark Holick’s Prince George Cougars come into tonight’s game with a 1-3 record on the young season. Last night’s loss was the Cougars second in a row and second of the season on home ice. From an effort standpoint, there were some definite positives from the Cougars group last night, but the biggest differences in the game were: Goaltending and special teams. The Cougars badly out chanced the Americans and you’d have to figure that more of than not that will lead to more wins than losses. Tonight the message doesn’t change: Bare down on your chances, and make the necessary sacrifices to bury the puck.

Who’s Up Front:

Mark Holick mentioned after Friday’s game that Jansen Harkins easily played his best game of the season to date last night. Harkins was rewarded for his efforts with a third period goal and did a lot of things away from the puck that certainly helped his cause. The Cougars reigning MVP is ‘close’ to finding his form, and when it finally clicks that will be bad news for opposing defencemen and goaltenders. Hopefully his first goal of the season can break the levy and result in more points and opportunities for Harkins and his linemates.

Who’s on D:

Defensively the Prince George Cougars did some good things last night too, but the search for consistency continues back there. The group definitely received a boost with the return of Shane Collins to the lineup. The 18-year-old sophomore defenceman played a regular shift, and didn’t look a hair out of place after missing the first three games of the season due to injury. It also means a little less wear and tear on guys like Sam Ruopp, Tate Olson and Joe Carvalho. Tonight the Cougars defense-corps will be charged with protecting the front of their net, and in particular keeping an eye on the two 20-year-olds, Parker Bowles and Beau McCue. A big night from the Cougars defensively would go a long way in helping them back into the win column.

Who’s in Goal:

Over the course of 100 career games, you’re going to have some great games and some forgettable ones. Chances are when Mack Shields looks back on his terrific WHL career, last night’s game against the Tri-City Americans won’t come to mind as one of his career highlights. That said, Shields battled hard and one certainly can’t pin last night’s result on his shoulders. Tonight, Ty Edmonds will get the nod as he looks to secure his first victory of the young season. Edmonds’ numbers through two games are very good but now it’s a matter of Edmonds doing his part to out dual his counterpart at the other end. Tonight might be one of those games where the Cougars need their goaltender to steal them one, and Ty Edmonds has proven before, many times over the course of his career that he is capable of doing exactly that.

X-Factor:

The offensive chances are coming, now it’s just a matter of doing that little bit extra to finish the job. It is an absolute certainty that this Cougars team is going to score more than two goals per game this season, and last night was a terrific example of how great this team can be at generating chances. Unfortunately games aren’t decided by chances, they are decided by goals and tonight provides another opportunity for this high powered Cougars offense to show their true colors tonight.