Tonight in Prince  George, two of the hottest teams in the WHL will meet for the first and only time of 2016-17. On one side, the Eastern Division’s Swift Current Broncos who are 5-0-0-1 in their past six games and are tied for first place in the crowded Eastern Division. One the other side, the Prince George Cougars who are the first 10 game winners in the WHL and are 8-2 in their past 10 games. After a busy schedule to start their season, the Cougars schedule lessens somewhat this week as they’ll play twice at home, including tonight against Swift Current.

SWIFT CURRENT BRONCOS

OVERVIEW:

Record: 7-2-0-1

Road Record: 4-0

2015-16 Record VS PG: 1-0

Goals For/Goals Against: 39 GF/26 GA

Power Play: 22% (11th in WHL)

Penalty Kill: 83.3% (7th in WHL)

Leading Scorers:  Taylor Steenbergen (10 GP – 7G – 5A – 12PTS), Aleksi Heponiemi (10 GP – 3G – 8A – 11PTS), Lane Pederson (8 GP – 2G – 6A – 8PTS)

WHO’S UP FRONT:

Taylor Steenbergen: Has recorded at least a single point in five straight games. During that span he’s got three goals and three assists. He’s coming off a two goal game Saturday in Kelowna.

Glenn Gawdin: The St. Louis Blues prospect has six goals and four assists for 10 points in eight games to start the season.

WHO’S ON D:

Artyom Minulin: Leads all Bronco blueliners with two goals and six assists for eight points. He’s eligible for the 2017 NHL Draft and is considered by many to be a favorite to get picked in the first two or three rounds.

Colby Sissons: Signed an entry-level contract earlier this fall with the New Jersey Devils. He has two goals and four assists for six points in six games. He had a goal and an assist on Saturday in Kelowna.

WHO’S IN GOAL:

Travis Child: Has a record of 4-0-0-1 through five starts. Has a 1.97 goals-against-average with a .931 save percentage and one shutout.

Taz Burman: Holds a record of 3-2 on the season with a 3.02 goals-against-average and a save percentage of .908.

X-FACTOR:

Aleski Heponiemi: Though he’s only 5’10” and 141 pounds, Aleksi Heponiemi is off to a great start in his WHL career. His 11 points ranks him second on the team in scoring. He posted six goals and 10 assists for 15 points in just six preseason games. This kid can flat out play and the Cougars will need to be mindful of that fact.

PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS

OVERVIEW:

Record: 10-2

Home Record: 4-2

2015-16 Record VS Swift Current: 0-0-1-0

Goals For/Goals Against: 45 GF/30 GA

Power Play: 22.2% (10th in WHL)

Penalty Kill: 91.2% (1st in WHL)

Leading Scorers: Brad Morrison (11 GP – 4G – 10A – 14PTS), Jared Bethune (12 GP – 5G – 7A – 12PTS), Colby McAuley (12 GP – 4G – 7A – 11PTS)

WHO’S UP FRONT:

Brogan O’Brien: Had a goal and an assist on Saturday in Kennewick, WA and was named the game’s first star in the building. By far it was O’Brien’s best game of the season and he’ll look to keep that trend going tonight. So far he’s got two goals and four assists for six points in 10 games.

Jesse Gabrielle: Has five goals and four assists for nine points in six games. Six of his nine points have come on the power play as he has been the team’s main power play catalyst.

WHO’S ON D:

Sam Ruopp: Led all Cougars offensively with three assists Saturday in the Tri-Cities and played a heck of a game defensively as well. So far Ruopp has a goal, four assists and a +1 rating. Expect him to get a ton of ice time against the likes of Steenbergen, Heponiemi and company tonight.

WHO’S IN GOAL:

Ty Edmonds: Is in line for his third straight start tonight. So far on the seaon, Edmonds leads all WHL goaltenders in wins with seven and his goals-against-average sits at a strong 1.98. His save percentage is .924.

X-FACTOR:

Depth: The Cougars continue to beat teams thanks to their depth and their ability to roll four lines and six defense without much hesitation or thought. The Broncos are a strong team, there is no doubt, but tonight the Cougars will need to be the aggressors and force the Broncos to adjust to their speed, size and depth.