PREVIEW: Giants Set for Rematch Against Cougars

PHOTO BY: JAMES DOYLE

Prince George, B.C. – Tonight the Vancouver Giants (29-28-4-0) get another crack at the Prince George Cougars (42-15-1-3), one night after falling 5-3 to them at the CN Centre.

The Giants may have lost Friday, but they also clinched a playoff berth due to Tri-City’s loss to Wenatchee. Vancouver is, however, now in seventh place in the Western Conference Standings, following Kelowna’s win on Friday over Kamloops, giving them 64 points. Vancouver remains three points back of the fifth-place Victoria Royals (65 points) – with two games in hand.

It is the fifth straight season (not including the two COVID seasons with no playoffs) the Giants have qualified for the post-season.

The Cougars are 10-0-1-1 in their last 12 and now lead the season series with Vancouver 4-2.

HOW TO TUNE IN Date | Time  Saturday, March 9 | 6:00 pm PT Place CN Centre, Prince George Video Stream watch.chl.ca Listen Sportsnet 650 ALT STREAM ONLY | Pre-Game begins at 5:30 p.m. Live Stats Click Here Social Media Twitter | Facebook  | Instagram | TikTok

LAST TIME OUT

The Vancouver Giants pushed late, but eventually lost 5-3 to the Prince George Cougars on Friday night at the CN Centre.

The game was highlighted by a record-breaking night for forward Cameron Schmidt, who broke the Giants franchise record for most goals in a single season by a 16-year-old rookie, scoring his 25th and 26th of the year to surpass Gilbert Brule, who scored 25 times in 67 games during the 2003-04 season. Also scoring for the Giants on Friday was Jaden Lipinski (18th).

Brett Mirwald had several fantastic sequences Friday and finished with 39 saves. The Cougars power play was a difference maker, going 2-for-6.

TONIGHT’S MATCHUP

Tonight is the seventh of eight head-to-head meetings this season. Vancouver is 2-4 so far in the season series.

Vancouver’s win came on Nov. 15 on the road (6-1) and Feb.2 at home (3-2), which is the most recent time these two teams clashed. The Cougars’ wins came on Nov. 14 (5-0), Nov. 17 (5-0), Dec. 16 (9-2) and last night (5-3).

The Giants are 0-4 in their last four road contests, but last night’s game was a step forward at 5-on-5, as they generated 4.24 expected goals for at even-strength, more than the Cougars’ 3.24.

The Cougars are in the midst of an impressive point streak, currently 10-0-1-1 in their last 12 games.

Last night, the Cougars stars stole the show, with their top three scorers each recording multi-point nights. Terik Parascak led the way with five points (2G-3A), Zac Funk scored his 60th and 61st goals of the season (2G-1A) and Riley Heidt (3A).

TALE OF THE TAPE

VANCOUVER	STAT	PRINCE GEORGE
29-28-4-0 (62 Pts)	RECORD	42-15-1-3 (88 Pts)
4th	DIV. RANK	1st
7th	CONF. RANK	1st
5-4-1-0	PAST 10	8-0-1-1
1L	STREAK	2W
17-10-3-0	HOME	23-7-1-1
12-18-1-0	AWAY	19-8-0-2
195 (3.20 – T-14th)	GF (/G)	268 (4.39 – 2nd)
222 (3.64 – 12th)	GA (/G)	167 (2.74 – 2nd)
44-for-210 (21.0%)	PP%	77-for-254 (30.3%)
207-for-263 (78.7%)	PK%	192-for-230 (83.5%)
Lipinski (18-39-57) Halaburda (19-37-56) Levis (20-29-49)	LEADERS	Funk (61-45-1036) Heidt (33-72-105) Parscak (36-56-92)
102 (20th)	POINTS BY D	176 (4th)

SEASON SERIES VS. PRINCE GEORGE (2-4-0-0; 8 H2H)