PREVIEW: COUGARS AT ROYALS (GAME #2)
Last night in Victoria the Cougars secured their first win of the 2016-17 season with a 3-1 decision over the defending WHL regular season champs, the Victoria Royals. It was a gutsy road effort where the goaltending, and penalty kill were the major differences. Now tonight the Cougars have a prime opportunity to send an early season message. A split is nice, but a sweep to start the season on the road against a division rival would be phenomenal. But you can bet full well that the Victoria Royals are going to have something to say about that tonight when the two teams meet again tonight.
VICTORIA ROYALS
OVERVIEW:
2016-17 Record: 0-1
2015-16 Record: 50-16-3-3 (First in B.C. Division and WHL)
2015-16 Record VS. PG: 5-2-0-1
PP: 0/9
PK: 4/4
Head Coach: Dave Lowry
WHO’S UP FRONT:
Ty Westgard: His first WHL goal was the only goal that the Royals managed last night in a 3-1 loss. He and linemate Ethan Price had good jump throughout the game, and will no doubt be expected to provide a similar effort this evening in the rematch.
Dante Hannoun: Despite being held off the score sheet, Hannoun was his usual shifty and dangerous self on Friday night. He was robbed by Ty Edmonds on a second period breakaway which kept the Cougars ahead 2-0. It’s not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’ for Dante Hannoun, and the Cougars are just hoping that they can keep him silenced through tonight.
WHO’S ON D:
Ryan Gagnon: Assisted on the Royals lone goal and played heavy minutes for Dave Lowry’s crew Friday. Gagnon was the lone 20-year-old dressed for Victoria a night ago, and has already earned rave reviews from his coaching staff for his leadership and the positive impact he’s had on the team as of late. Once again the Cougars can expect a steady diet of Gagnon tonight.
WHO’S IN GOAL:
Griffen Outhouse: Can’t be faulted for the Royals loss last night. He made 17 saves on 19 shots faced and gave his team a chance to win. He is now 2-3 lifetime against the Cougars. Tonight you’d think he’d be favored to get the start again. He’ll be backed up by Dylan Myskiw again tonight.
X-FACTOR:
Special Teams: The lack of power play success may have been the biggest difference in the result last night as the Royals went zero-for-nine on their power play chances. More often than not, a team like the Royals is going to convert on their chances, and no doubt that is going to be an area quickly addressed by the Royals coaching staff ahead of the rematch tonight.
PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS
OVERVIEW:
2016-17 Record: 1-0
2015-16 Record: 36-31-3-2
2015-16 Record VS. VIC: 3-5
PP: 0/4
PK: 9/9
Head Coach: Richard Matvichuk
WHO’S UP FRONT:
Colby McAuley: Led the Cougars offensive attack with two goals. The 20-year-old was his usual fast and intense self and it paid dividends for the Cougars on the road Friday. No doubt he’ll be a player expected to make a big impact every night. That’s what 20-year-olds in the WHL do, and last night was a great start to the season for the fan favorite Colby McAuley.
Kody McDonald: Chipped in with two assists to help the cause and showed flashes of brilliance in his first game back after attending the New York Islanders training camp. With three forwards still away at NHL camps, McDonald is going to be counted on to provide solid and dependable minutes in all areas of the ice.
WHO’S ON D:
Max Martin: Not only did the sophomore from Winnipeg, MB score his first ever WHL goal in last night’s victory but he also finished the game a +3. Given the amount of experience that the Cougars are lacking right now defensively it’s great to see a guy like Max thriving. Tonight the Cougars will need more of the same from Martin and the rest of his teammates defensively.
WHO’S IN GOAL:
Nick McBride: The plan from the get-go was to give both goaltenders a start this weekend in Victoria. Ty Edmonds was money last night, and now it’s Nick McBride’s turn to help lead the way. McBride’s preseason numbers were outstanding and you can bet he’s pumped for the opportunity to help the Cougars attempt their first ever weekend sweep in Victoria.
X-FACTOR:
Discipline: The Cougars simply cannot afford to take as many penalties tonight. The coaching staff has preached discipline throughout the preseason and by and large the Cougars have answered that challenge positively. The penalty killers played a ton of minutes a night ago going a perfect nine-for-nine but that will hopefully not be the case tonight in the rematch.
AUDIO:
Richard Matvichuk (Pre-Game)
Trevor Sprague (Pre-Game)
