Tonight in Calgary, the Prince George Cougars will wrap up their three game road swing through the Central Division when they battle the Hitmen for the first time this season.Both teams are coming off victories last night and should be primed for this one. For the Cougars they’ll look to clean up some areas of their game as they pursue their ninth straight road victory and their fourth straight victory overall.

CALGARY HITMEN 

OVERVIEW:

Record: 4-5-1-0

Home Record: 2-2-1-0

Goals For/Goals Against: 23 GF/33 GA

Power Play: 10.2% (22nd in WHL)

Penalty Kill: 80.4% (9th in WHL)

Leading Scorers: Matteo Gennaro (7GP – 3G – 4A – 7PTS), Tyler Mrkonjic (10GP – 2G – 4A – 6PTS), Taylor Sanheim (10GP – 2G – 4A – 6PTS)

WHO’S UP FRONT:

Matteo Gennaro: The Winnipeg Jets prospect leads all Calgary skaters with seven points through seven games.

Carson Twarynski: The Philadelphia Flyers prospect had two goals last night in Edmonton and played a big part in helping the Hitmen earn a 5-2 victory. He had two points in three games against the Cougars a season ago.

WHO’S ON D:

Michael Zipp: With Jake Bean on the shelf with an injury, the 20-year-old Calgary captain has carried the load defensively for the Hitmen. He has a goal and four assists to lead all Calgary defenders in scoring.

WHO’S IN GOAL:

Cody Porter: Backstopped the Hitmen to victory last night in Edmonton and made 38 saves in the process. This season he’s 3-3 with some great numbers: A 2.50 goals-against-average and a .919 save percentage. Given that he played last night in Edmonton, it could very well mean that backup Kyle Dumba gets the nod tonight for the Hitmen.

X-FACTOR:

Depth: The Hitmen lack the star power this season compared to years in the past but that doesn’t mean that they are any worse for wear. They’ve got a roster full of big and rangy forwards who can make opposing team’s play if given too much time and space, and they’ll need buy in from everybody tonight at home if they want to hand the Cougars their first road loss of the season.

PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS

OVERVIEW:

Record: 13-2-1-0

Road Record: 8-0

Goals For/Goals Against: 58 GF/39 GA

Power Play: 22.7% (7th in WHL)

Penalty Kill: 89.2% (1st in WHL)

Leading Scorers: Brad Morrison (15GP – 7G – 13A – 20PTS), Jesse Gabrielle (10GP – 6G – 8A – 14PTS), Jansen Harkins (10 GP – 4G – 10A – 14PTS)

WHO’S UP FRONT:

Aaron Boyd/Josh Curtis/Bartek Bison: This trio continues to be OUTSTANDING for the Cougars. Last night they generated the game winning goal late in the first period and have been a supremely trustworthy line for Richard Matvichuk all season long. Look for them to bring similar energy tonight in Calgary.

Jesse Gabrielle: Had four goals in three games last season against Calgary. Tonight he’ll suit up in his 200th career game for the Cougars.

WHO’S ON D:

Tate Olson: Will suit up in his 200th career game tonight. He leads all Cougar defenders in scoring with two goals and six assists for eight points.

WHO’S IN GOAL: 

Nick McBride: Was awesome Wednesday in Cranbrook and will get the nod again tonight as he looks to improve his record to 5-1.

X-FACTOR:

Discipline: Eight minor penalties last night sure made life difficult for the Cougars penalty killers and goaltender. They won’t be able to get away with many games like that so tonight discipline is going to be a major key for Rich Matvichuk’s crew as they look to snag their 14th victory of the season.