Cougars Kick off Five Game Eastern Road Swing Tonight in Moose Jaw
Published on October 27, 2023 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince George Cougars News Release
The Prince George Cougars kick off a five-game Eastern road trip that begins this evening against the Moose Jaw Warriors at 6:00 pm PDT.
The Prince George Cougars are coming off a thrilling, come-from-behind victory, defeating the Medicine Hat Tigers 7-5 on Sunday October 22nd at the CN Centre. Riley Heidt led the way offensively for the Cougars, compiling a goal and four assists in the win and was named the game's first star. "It was such a character win from the guys," Heidt commented after the win. "The crowd was electric from start to finish and it was also nice to see Dumer (Bauer Dumanski) score the game winning goal was awesome."
The Moose Jaw Warriors sport an 8-6 record heading into tonight's game against the Cougars. Moose Jaw currently sits in third place in the Eastern Conference. Offensively, the Warriors are led by the dynamic duo in Jagger Firkus and Brayden Yager who have combined for 45 points (21-24-45) in the team's first 12 games.
THREE-TIME. THREE-TIME. THREE-TIME ROOKIE OF THE WEEK:
For the third time in five weeks, Cougars forward Terik Parascak was named the WHL's Rookie of the Week. Parascak logged three points (1G-2A) Saturday, October 21, including the game-winning goal in a 7-1 victory over the Kamloops Blazers. The 5-foot-11, 179-pound winger followed up Sunday, October 22 with three more points (2G-1A) in a 7-5 win over the Medicine Hat Tigers. Parascak was named Third Star of the game for his efforts. With 15 goals through 12 games, Parascak sits first in the WHL in goal scoring. His 25 points are good for third in the WHL, trailing his Cougars teammates - Zac Funk and Ondrej Becher, who have collected 26 points each. Parascak is currently riding a three-game point streak, having registered seven points (3G-4A) since Friday, October 13.
MOVIN ON UP:
The Prince George Cougars were ranked 4th in the CHL's Week 4 rankings that were released earlier this week. With 69 goals through 12 games, the Cougars continue to pace the CHL in scoring - having recorded 13 more goals than the next closest CHL club, the Baie-Comeau Drakkar (56 goals), who have also played one more game so far this season. The Cats were also the first team to collect nine wins in the WHL, with their come-from-behind victory over Medicine Hat last weekend at the CN Centre.
NHL CENTRAL SCOUTING:
Two Prince George Cougars were listed on NHL Central Scouting's early-season rankings. CHL leading scorer Terik Paraascak, 17, headlines the pair with being a 'B' rated skater. The Lethbridge, AB native ranks first among WHL skaters in goals with 15 and paces all rookie skaters with 25 points in 12 games at the time of the rankings being released.
6'6 forward Hunter Laing, 17, earned a rating of a 'W' skater which is a new ranking structure this season. The ranking indicates players projected to be six or seventh-round candidates in the upcoming NHL Draft. Laing, from Kelowna, BC, has compiled seven points (2-5-7) in his first 12 games of the season.
HOT CATS:
Cougar forward and 20-year-old Zac Funk has been firing on all cylinders, 12 games into the 2023-2024 regular season. Funk leads the league in scoring with 26 points in 12 games (13-13-26). Entering tonight's contest against the Moose Jaw Warriors, Funk has points in six of seven games, consisting of nine goals and seven assists. Funk also leads the Western Hockey League in shots on goal (69) and power-play goals (8).
No skater in the Western Hockey League has more points than forward Ondrej Becher. In his second WHL season, the Ostrava, CZE product has dominated in his first 12 games, owning 27 points (9-18-27). Becher was selected 16th overall by Prince George in the 2022 CHL Import Draft. Forwards and NHL Draft picks Riley Heidt and Koehn Ziemmer have put together a solid month of October, compiling 12 points (3-9-12).
CAPTAIN CHASING HISTORY:
Hudson Thornton is flirting with multiple Prince George Cougars records. This past Sunday against the Medicine Hat Tigers, Thornton became the teams franchise leader in power-play goals among defenceman (20). The Winnipeg, MB is on pace to break multiple records among Cougar defenceman in franchise history including All-Time points (currently at 140, the leader is Dan Hamhuis with 157), goals (currently 2nd all-time with 43, the leader is Dustin Byfuglien with 47), and assists (currently 4th all-time with 76, the leader is Dan Hamhuis with 123).
HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN
WHEN: Saturday, October 28th at 6:00pm PDT
WHERE: Moose Jaw Events Centre - Moose Jaw, SK
WATCH: WHL Live
LISTEN: 94.3 The Goat
Western Hockey League Stories from October 27, 2023
- Cougars Kick off Five Game Eastern Road Swing Tonight in Moose Jaw - Prince George Cougars
- Warriors Set for Showdown with Cougars on Military Appreciation Night - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Portland's Alberta Natives Relishing Opportunity to Play in Their Home Province - Portland Winterhawks
- Wheat Kings Celebrate Willie's Birthday with Matchup against Saskatoon - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Ben Hemmerling, Austin Roest Named Co-Captains for 2023-24 Season - Everett Silvertips
- Preview: Americans at Blazers - October 27 - Tri-City Americans
- Preview: Oil Kings at Medicine Hat Tigers - Edmonton Oil Kings
- Chiefs Look to Snap Skid Hosting Rockets Friday Night - Spokane Chiefs
- Game Day Preview: Game 13 vs Edmonton - Medicine Hat Tigers
- Big Weekend Coming up at the Hangar - Moose Jaw Warriors
- Wheat Kings Return Home In Style With Win Over Warriors - Brandon Wheat Kings
- Game Day Hub: October 27 at Red Deer - Portland Winterhawks
- Parascak and Laing Named to Preliminary Players to Watch List for 2024 NHL Draft - Prince George Cougars
- Warriors Drop Tight Game in Brandon - Moose Jaw Warriors
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