Sunday, March 15, 2009 vs. Tri-City
Tonight’s Game Preview: Tonight is the final game of the 2008-09 regular season for the Prince George Cougars and fourth meeting with the Americans. The Cougars have dropped all three games to the Americans this year, being outscored 14-4 and have lost five in a row going back to last season. The Cougars last victory over Tri-City came October 3, 2007 in a 5-2 win. In the head to head series, Dallas Jackson, Parker Stanfield and Marcus Watson lead the Cougars with two points in three games. The Cougars are 1-for-12 (8.3%) on the power play vs. Tri-City on the year, while the Americans man advantage is operating at 19% (4-for-21) against the Cougars. The Cougars enter the game with a record of 25-43-0-3 for the season.
Last Game: The Cougars were shut-out by the Vancouver Giants for the third time this season last night, 6-0. The shut-out loss was the fifth this season suffered by the Cougars, who have also been blanked by Tri-City and Calgary. The Giants scored four first period goals, two 15 seconds apart with six minutes to go in the period. Kevin Armstrong took the defeat in goal while turning aside 42 of 48 Giant shots. The Cougars directed 23 shots on Giants goalie Jamie Tucker. The Cougars were 0-for-5 on the power play while the Giants went 3-for-9, in a game that had 126 penalty minutes. The Cougars were swept by the Giants in the eight game season series.
Inside the Numbers: Brett Connolly leads the Cougars in scoring with 30 goals and 30 assists for 60 points. The 16-year old Connolly leads the Cougars with 12 power play goals and seven game winning goals. Connolly’s 30 goals is tops among WHL rookies and he is third in points among league rookies…Cam Cepek leads the Cougars in power play points with 30…Marek Viedensky has scored a goal in three of his last five games…Tyler Halliday has scored 11 second half goals after posting three in the first half of the season…Brett Connolly and Brian Matte are the only WHL rookies with two short-handed goals this season…After missing 18 games with a shoulder injury, Brian Matte has four points in five games since his return…Parker Stanfield has played in each of the Cats 71 games this season…The Cougars are 6-0 in overtime’s this year. Brett Connolly, Cam Cepek, Parker Stanfield, Brian Matte, Jeff Regier and Marcus Watson have played the role of overtime hero…The Cougars are 7-26-0-2 on the road and are 7-11-0-1 against the US Division...The Cats are 1-4-0-1 in March and 0-5-0-0 on Sunday’s.
30-30 Man: Brett Connolly became the first 16-year old to score 30 goals in a WHL season since Patrick Marleau scored 32 goals with the Seattle Thunderbirds in 1995-96. In the last 25 years, only Jeff Friesen of Regina in 1992-93 (45), Mike Modano of Prince Albert in 1986-87(32) and Mark Pederson of Medicine Hat in 1984-85 (42) have reached 30 goals as 16-year olds. Connolly also notched his 30th assist Friday night.
Playoff Bound: The Cougars will meet the Vancouver Giants in the first round of the WHL playoffs, staring March 20 in Vancouver. The Cougars will host games 3 and 4, March 24 and 25. The Cats would also host Game 6, if necessary, March 29 at CN Centre starting at 2:00.
Quick Stat Fact: After only three players had at least 15 goals last season, the Cougars have six in 2008-09. They are Brett Connolly (30), Dana Tyrell (19), Parker Stanfield (18), Brian Matte (17), Marek Viedensky and Justin Maylan (16).
Special Teams: The Cougars are ranked 17th on the power play at 17.3% (58-335). Brett Connolly leads the Cougars with 12 power-play goals. The Cats penalty kill is 19th at 76.5% (274-358). Dana Tyrell leads the Cougars with 3 of the club’s 10 short-handed goals this season.
Drafted Cats: Dana Tyrell (Tampa Bay ’07)…Cam Cepek (Montreal ’06)
Milestones: Joe Caligiuri is 1 game away from 100 and 4 wins away from 50 in his WHL career…Cam Cepek is 8 points away from 100 in his WHL career…Alex Poulter is 3 assists away from 50 in his WHL career.
