Prince George, B.C. – Consistency.

According to Prince George Cougars play-by-play man Dan O’Connor it’s the biggest reason the team has been able to remain listed in the Canadian Hockey League’s top ten rankings for the 14^th consecutive week – this week clocking in at number seven.

“I think it’s a testament really to the consistency of the organization and putting themselves in a position where they haven’t had that one lengthy losing streak which has fallen them out of favour.” 

He adds the team hasn’t lost more than two games in a row all year but notes it will be meaningless should they fail to go on a playoff run this spring.

“Yes, the rankings are nice for fans to talk about, great for us media types to talk about, but if they don’t do a thing in the playoffs no one is going to remember they were ranked number 1.”

However, O’Connor says he’s seen enough of the team to know they’re for real this year.

“Well they’ve got a big month of January coming up with a lot of road games in some tough buildings but I think what they’ve shown all season – not losing more than two games in a row – bodes extremely well for the Cougars based on their depth and based on their veteran core,” he says.

“They’ve got a lot of good things going for them so I think absolutely yes, they can keep this pace up and they’ll be right in the thick of the competition when all is said and done this year.”