Cougars Host Thunderbirds Friday and Saturday

By 250 News

With four straight wins to vault the Prince George Cougars into first place in the BC Division, the Cougars will look to keep the streak alive against the Seattle Thunderbirds this weekend.  The teams square off for back-to-back games at CN Centre Friday and Saturday.

The Cougars opened a four game home-stand Wednesday with a 4-3 victory over the Calgary Hitmen, with Charles Inglis leading the way with two goals, including the winner mid-way through the third period, and an assist.  The Cougars improved their record to 15-10-2-0 with their season high fourth straight win to get to 32 points, two up on the also surging Kelowna Rockets and the Vancouver Giants.

The Cougars and Thunderbirds are squaring off for the second time this season, with Prince George getting the upper hand on the four game season series with a 2-0 win in Seattle October 29.  Ty Rimmer made his first start in goal as a Cougars goalie after being acquired from Brandon earlier in the month and was superb, stopping all 36 shots for his first WHL shut-out and the Cougars first since late in the 2008-09 season.  The Cougars were able to break through on Thunderbirds starter Calvin Pickard late in the third, with Nick Buonassisi and Taylor Stefishen scoring to give the Cougars the lead and eventual win.  Pickard is one of four goalies to be invited to Team Canada's National Junior Team Selection Camp in Toronto, which begins December 12 and runs until December 15.  The camp will also include Cougars Captain Brett Connolly.  Pickard is the only WHL goalie to get an invite to the selection camp, which will determine Canada's team for the 2011 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship in Buffalo, New York, which opens Boxing Day.  Although the Thunderbirds have lost three straight, with the latest setback Wednesday in Kelowna by a 3-2 score, the Cougars have high respect for a club that comes into the weekend with a record of 11-8-3-4.

"We had solid game when we were in Seattle, but they've got a solid team over there," said Cougars forward Caleb Belter.  "(Calvin) Pickard is a pretty good goalie, so we have to pepper him (with shots) pretty hard.  We've got to bring our A game against them and show them that we are a top team and can compete with them."

The Cougars and Thunderbirds will meet again Saturday night at CN Centre.  Puck drop for both games is 7:00pm and tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at 250-564-5585.

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