DUBNetwork’s Game of the Day: Kamloops Blazers @ Prince George Cougars 2PM Pacific
Two teams with nearly identical records face off in the second game of a two game set in Prince George. Both teams are looking to get back into playoff position with two points separating both these teams from the Seattle Thunderbirds. The Cougars are have lost two games in a row and are 16-24-1-2 while the Blazers took Saturday night’s game to move into a tie with the Cougars at 16-24-2-1.
The first of two between these clubs was a tightly contested affair, as the Blazers pulled away in the third period to take the contest 3-1. Connor Zary’s 10th goal of the season proved to be the game winner.
Today’s game will see the Cougars and the Blazers meet for the fifth of nine meetings this season. The Blazers are an impressive 4-0-0-0 against the Cougars and have won nine straight in Prince George and also hold a 17-6 edge in goals scored over the four games.
Zane Franklin of the Blazers has torn it up against the Cougars, potting two goals and adding six assists over four games. Josh Maser has two goals in four games for Prince George.
Kamloops has used both goaltenders evenly over the course of the season series with Dylan Ferguson and Dylan Garand each collecting two wins. Taylor Gauthier has played the lions share of time between the pipes for Prince George but has been been pulled once and served as the back up in another game in which he ended up seeing action.
It will be interesting to see if the Cougars can snap a nine-game home winless streak to the Blazers of if Kamloops can make it 10 wins in a row at the CN Centre.
Potential starters between the pipes:
Dylan Garand (KAM): 6-5-0-1, 3.10 GAA, .899sv%…has not won since December 30th against PG…4 games of action since.
Taylor Gauthier (PG): 12-17-1-1 3.04GAA, .904 sv%…picked up back-to-back wins over the Rockets then lost the last two games.
Leading scorers:
Zane Franklin (KAM): 20G-23A-43Pts. last eight games have alternated between collecting points or being left off the score sheet.
Vladislav Mikhalchuk (PG): 15G-18A-33Pts. The import forward recently matched his output for the 2017-18 season in 20 less games
Other games on the schedule:
Red Deer Rebels (26-14-2-1) at Calgary Hitmen (21-18-3-1)
9 points separate the division rivals and both teams are coming off a loss. Calgary won the last matchup between these two teams on Jan 4th.
Victoria Royals (22-19-1-0) at Everett Silvertips (33-11-1-1)
Both teams are looking to get back to the win column. Everett has lost two straight while Victoria has lost their last four.
Tri-City Americans (23-16-2-1) at Portland Winterhawks (27-12-3-2)
Four of the five losses by the Winterhawks that came after regulation have come at the hands of Tri-City. Every game between these teams has needed extra time, all wins by Tri-City.
