PREVIEW: COUGARS VS ICE (PRESEASON GAME #4)
Tonight in Kennewick, the Prince George Cougars will clash with the Kootenay Ice in preseason play. For the Cougars it will mark their fourth preseason contest while the Ice have yet to play a single exhibition game. Last night the Cougars dropped a hard-fought 5-3 game to the Tri-City Americans giving them two consecutive losses. Tonight it’s all about ‘response’ as they battle a Kootenay Ice club that’s looking to make an early statement in 2016-17.
KOOTENAY ICE
OVERVIEW:
2015-16 Record: 12-53-6-1 (12th in the Eastern Conference)
2015-16 Record Vs. PG: 0-1
2016 Preseason Record: 0-0
Head Coach: Luke Pierce
WHO’S UP FRONT:
Zak Zborosky: A 20-year-old that surpassed the 30 goal mark last year on a Kootenay team that struggled to score goals. He’s got speed, patience and shoots to score. Expect him to have another big year.
Matt Alfaro: Scored 22 goals in 65 games and finished second on team scoring in 2015-16. He’s another 20-year-old who should be able to help shoulder a bulk of the offensive load for Kootenay this season.
WHO’S ON D:
Cale Fleury: Finished third in team scoring last season with eight goals and 17 assists. There’s a lot to like with Fleury. He’s 18, 6’1, 203 pounds and right handed. He’ll be another player that’s expected to lead and provide big minutes in all situations for the Ice this season.
Troy Murray: Was selected 10th overall by the Kootenay Ice in 2012. He is the younger brother of Columbus Blue Jackets blueliner Ryan Murray. Troy Murray has the size and the tools to be an effective d-man and look for him to breakout in 2016-17.
WHO’S IN GOAL:
Payton Lee: The 20-year-old Cranbrook native split last season with the Vancouver Giants and Edmonton Oil Kings and now finds himself in his hometown for his final season of the WHL. He’s shown before that he can be a game-changer, and the Ice are hoping that he’ll be able to lead them to an improved season in 2016-17.
X-FACTOR:
Confidence: There’s nowhere for Kootenay to go but up and given the amount of players who are eligible to return to their lineup this season, that shouldn’t be a problem. The big key though for Luke Pierce’s club will be to find some confidence and identity early. Though preseason games don’t mean a thing in the standings, it’ll be important for this young team to get some early season swagger, and victories would sure help with that.
PRINCE GEORGE COUGARS
OVERVIEW:
2015-16 Record: 36-31-3-2
2015-16 Record VS. Kootenay: 1-0
2016 Preseason Record: 1-2 (Lost two straight)
Head Coach: Richard Matvichuk
WHO’S UP FRONT:
Kody McDonald: Struck twice in his first preseason game of the season. The 18-year-old forward is poised to truly breakout in 2016-17 and look for him to get a few more games under his belt before he heads to the New York Islanders training camp next week.
Jansen Harkins: Had a goal and an assist last night against Tri-City and now has four preseason points in two games. He and Jesse Gabrielle have found instant chemistry during the preseason and the 2014-15 team MVP is looking to bounce back after a decline in points a season ago. When Jansen Harkins is ‘on’ there are few (if any) in the WHL that rival his skillset.
WHO’S ON D:
Max Martin: Impressed in his first preseason outing last weekend and will draw back into the lineup tonight for his second preseason tilt. So far he’s shown no ill effects from last season’s injury, and has made it no secret that he’s pining for a larger role on this team during his sophomore season. If he keeps doing what he’s doing, he’s going to give himself every opportunity.
Joel Lakusta: Lakusta draws into the lineup today for the first time in the preseason and he’s another sophomore defenceman who’s looking for an expanded role. The Cougars have done a remarkable job in recent years of stocking the cupboards with loads of depth, particularly on defense. Hopefully tonight Lakusta can be a positive contributor at both ends of the ice.
WHO’S IN GOAL:
Ty Edmonds: Edmonds is looking to bounce back after taking the loss Saturday against the Edmonton Oil Kings. He stopped 17 of 20 during the first half of the game. Over the years we have seen handfuls of brilliant games from Edmonds, and tonight against the Ice he’ll get the chance to build some confidence as he’s in line to at least play half a game again.
Tavin Grant: He performed well during the back-half of Saturday’s loss to Edmonton. He didn’t allow a goal on nine shots faced. The 18-year-old has come into camp this year with a great mindset and has done his part up to this point to compete for a spot against the likes of Ty Edmonds and Nick McBride. Tonight will be another opportunity for Grant to make his mark.
X-FACTOR:
Energy: The Cougars will have a heavy veteran presence in the lineup again tonight and it will be up to them to provide the energy and intensity needed to success. This also marks the second of three games in three days, so monitoring fatigue and shift left will be key as well. When you’re on the ice for your 30-40 seconds, make it count!
Audio:
Shawn Chambers
