PREVIEW: Cougars at Pats – Game #55
The less said about last night’s game in Brandon, the better. That story is already over, and that page has already been turned. Tonight the Prince George Cougars still have the chance to make this Prairie road trip a success when they wrap up their travels in Regina against the Pats. Throw everything else out the window. It’s all about tonight and ending the road trip on a positive before heading home for four very challenging home games.
REGINA PATS
Overview:
John Paddock’s Regina Pats head into tonight’s game with an overall record of 22-22-3-4. Their 51 points put them fourth in the East Division and seventh in the Eastern Conference playoff picture in the first wild-card spot. They are 5-4-0-1 in their past 10 games and are coming off a convincing 5-1 victory on home ice last night against the Medicine Hat Tigers. The Pats have defeated the Cougars in each of their past two meetings dating back to the 2013-14 season.
Who’s Up Front:
Since the Prince George Cougars only see the Pats once a year, they don’t get the steady dose of 19-year-old forward Adam Brooks that other teams out East are used too. That’s a good thing. The 19-year-old from Winnipeg, MB leads the entire WHL in points with 27 goals and 51 assists for 78 points. The next highest point total on the Pats team: 48. There is a significant drop off which doesn’t necessarily mean that if you shut out Adam Brooks, you’ll win, but it definitely gives you a better chance. He’s got seven assists in his past three games.
Who’s on D:
Defensively the Regina Pats have been hit hard by injuries this season and tonight they’ll likely be without two of their top guys in Colby Williams and Connor Hobbs. 19-year-old Chase Harrison has stepped up and provided big minutes and some strong two-way play for the Pats in their absence, and he’s had some help from veteran Import Sergei Zborovsky (A New York Rangers draft pick). Both Harrison and Zborovsky can be expected to log the most minutes against the Cougars top players tonight.
Who’s in Goal:
The Regina Pats goaltending tandem features 18-year-old Tyler Brown of Winnipeg, MB and rookie 16-year-old Jordan Hollett of Langley, B.C. The rookie Hollett has a winning record of 7-5-1-0 with a 3.69 goals-against-average and a save percentage of .883. His older counterpart Brown is 10-14-1-4 with a 3.14 goals-against-average and a .908 save percentage with two shutouts. For what it’s worth, Brown was in the net last night during the 5-1 Regina victory over the Tigers.
X-Factor:
Tonight’s game marks the first time that former Cougars draft pick Lane Zablocki will face the team that drafted him back in the fifth round of the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft. Last summer the Cougars traded Zablocki to the Pats in exchange for Jesse Gabrielle, and early indications would show that both teams have greatly benefited from the deal. The Cougars got Gabrielle who leads the team in scoring. Regina got a player with loads of upside who’s had a nice first season in the WHL with 11 goals and 13 assists for 24 points. The Gabrielle/Zablocki matchup will be a fun one to watch tonight at the Brandt Centre.
PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS
Overview:
Mark Holick’s Prince George Cougars come into tonight’s game with an overall record of 31-20-2-1. Their road record is an impressive 14-11-2-0 and their record during their current road trip is 2-2-1-0 and a victory tonight would give them a plus-500 trip which has to be considered a success considering the length, travel and the amount of games in such a short span of time for this group. The Cougars are looking to snap a modest two game losing skid, and the good news: The Cougars have not once this season dropped three consecutive games.
Who’s Up Front:
Last night against his former team Jesse Gabrielle scored a goal and two assists to lead the way offensively. Tonight, it just so happens that Gabrielle will once again be facing a former team of his. His stay in Regina was a brief one, and for whatever reason it just wasn’t an appropriate fit for him. Their loss though has been the Cougars gain in a major way. Gabrielle’s been arguably the Cougars most consistent offensive performer all season, and you’d better believe that he’s going to leave it all on the line tonight on the final game of this Prairie road trip in his home province of Saskatchewan.
Who’s on D:
Defensively the Cougars need to better tonight. Period. The Regina Pats have some very capable forwards (especially Brooks) that can make opposing team’s look silly in an instant if given the opportunity. Let’s not forget, that the Regina Pats attack also features the likes of Cole Sanford, Austin Wagner and Sam Steel, so from top to bottom on the Cougars defensive depth chart, they’ll need to be ready. When the Cougars have been successful this season, one of the common characteristics of their play has been great defense. Tonight, they’ll need to answer the bell collectively against the Pats.
Who’s in Goal:
In each of his three starts since returning from injury, Nick McBride has been money for the Cougars. He earned victories in Moose Jaw and Saskatoon, and only surrendered two goals against in Prince Albert against his former club. His overall record is very good at 11-5-0-1 and his save percentage is now .913 and his save percentage is 2.73 and he’s got one shutout. Right now he’s healthy and locked in, which could be bad news for the Regina Pats, a team that McBride will also be very familiar with thanks to his time with the Raiders.
X-Factor:
When Brad Morrison is at his best, so are the Prince George Cougars. When Brad Morrison records at least a point the team is 21-6-0-1, and when he scores a goal the Cougars are 11-3. Morrison hasn’t scored in five straight games, and despite showing flashes of brilliance during the trip, Morrison is caught in a bit of an offensive funk. He’s the type of player who can instantly take over a game because he’s ‘just that good.’ A big game tonight from Morrison would be HUGE for a Cougars team in need of a boost during their fourth game in five nights and their final game of this Prairie swing.
