Plenty of Challenges in 2008-2009 Schedule

Feature Stories

Plenty of Challenges in 2008-2009 Schedule by David Michaud

The Western Hockey League’s annual schedule can always be counted on to provide a range of emotions! From the opening night jitters to the excitement of a division title or playoff push come March, the 72 regular season dates very seldom leave fans wanting more. The Cougars 2008-2009 schedule is no different!  

The Cougars will begin their 15^th season in Prince George on Friday September 19^th and 20^th as the Seattle Thunderbirds invade the CN Centre to kick start the campaign. This is the 2^nd consecutive year that a U.S. division team provides the opening night opposition. The Spokane Chiefs helped raise the curtain last season.

October brings the Cougars longest road trip of the season, 9 games! After playing at the friendly confines of the CN Centre on October 8^th, the Cougars will then hit the road for stops in Kamloops, Kelowna, Calgary, Edmonton, Red Deer, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Kootenay, and finally Spokane before returning home to face a talented Brandon Wheat Kings squad on the 29^th of October. All told, the road trip will see the Cougars travel an astonishing 4,152 km’s!

November features 8 games at the CN Centre and there is a definite East vs. West flair to the month. November starts off with BC Divisional rivals Kamloops, Vancouver, and Kelowna coming to town. Sandwiched in the middle of the Vancouver and Kelowna dates is a special 2:00 pm start time on Tuesday November 11^th, Remembrance Day. The Red Deer Rebels will make their one and only trip of the season to Prince George for this matinee affair. A visit from the Regina Pats and the Saskatoon Blades closes out the month at home.

December is highlighted as always by the annual Teddy Bear toss on the 17^th. The arch-rival Kamloops Blazers come to town and there is little doubt that all of the Cougars will be excited to be the player that “lights the lamp” and sends thousands of teddy bears raining down onto the CN Centre ice!

January is the busiest month of the season for the Cougars as they will hit the ice 14 times, 7 at home and 7 on the road.  February isn’t far behind with 12 games on the schedule. The Cougars however will enjoy tons of home cooking, as they play 8 of those 12 games at home.

March sees the Cougars play just 7 games, but with the playoffs right around the corner there is no doubt that precious points will be up for grabs. The Cougars begin the month with a 3-game home stand and finish the 2008-2009 regular season schedule with a 4-game road trip. Prince George will make stops at the new Kent Events Center to take on the T-Birds, Chilliwack, Vancouver, and finally Tri-City.