The Prince George Cougars will step on to the ice at 7:00 this evening to start a new  season, but the fans are being invited to  take art in a pre-game tail gate party  to get them in the mood.

Starting at 5:00pm, there will plenty of action for the entire family!

Save On Foods will be selling hot dogs with proceeds going to the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Prince George.

Families will have an opportunity to meet Rowdy Cat, have their face painted by the Big Brother and Big Sisters of Prince George, listen to live music by the “Andy and Dave” Band, and visit with the Shriner Clowns.

Once the doors open, the first 1000 fans will have a chance to win a .22 carrot VST Clarity Blue Diamond valued at $750 courtesy of Ken’s Goldsmithing.

The  first star of the game tonight could very well be the new  instant replay system  that  has been installed  at a cost of nearly a millon dollars.  The City's head of Leisure Services Tom Madden isn't sure if  the  system will  show replays  of goals by the  visitors or controversial  calls by the refs "I know in other arenas there is a tendancy not to show  goals scored by the  visiting team, but we will have to play it by ear and see what the fans want."  He says they have been working with the WHL  to  get a  feel  for what works in other  arenas.  Staff have been training on the system for  more than a month.

The Cougars are also very proud to have reached  the million dollar  mark in  their  community donations  through the 50/50 Society.

Since 1994, cash and in-kind donations have been dispersed to numerous groups within Prince George, and to outlying communities throughout Northern BC.

“We are extremely proud and honoured to be in a situation that allows us to help certain groups. We look forward to lending our support for years to come,” says Cougars Business Manager Brandi Brodsky.

The Cougars will celebrate this accomplishment by acknowledging several organizations on ice during the opening ceremonies of this vening's season home opener vs. the Spokane Chiefs.

The Cougars are proud of the commitment they have made and will continue to lend an assist to Prince George and its surrounding communities.