Game Preview: Cougars at Rockets
Published on February 7, 2025 under Western Hockey League (WHL)
Prince George Cougars News Release
KELOWNA, BC - The Prince George Cougars will try to get back in the win column as they battle their divisional foe Kelowna Rockets.
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When: Friday, Feb. 7
Puck Drop: 7:05 pm
Listen: 94.3 The Goat
Watch: WHL Live
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Cougars Record: 28-15-4-2 (62 Points - 2nd BC Division - 4th Western Conference)
Cougars Last Game: A 4-3 OT loss to the Tri-City Americans on Tuesday, Feb. 4.
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Rockets Record: 16-27-4-1 (37 Points - 5th BC Division - 10th Western Conference)
Rockets Last Game: A 5-2 loss to the Victoria Royals on Wednesday, Feb. 5.
Last Game...
- The Cougars collected a point in the overtime setback and also registered 42 shots on goal.
- Carson Carels, Matteo Danis, and Bauer Dumanski scored the Cougar goals
- Cooper Michaluk made 32 saves in the setback.
Previous Meetings vs. KEL This Season...
January 10 - The Cats dropped a 6-3 decision in Kelowna in their first game following the trade deadline.
December 17 - Viliam Kmec collected four points in a 5-3 win. PG limited the Rockets to just 20 shots.
November 16 - The Rockets scored two goals in the final 90 seconds of the game to defeat Prince George 5-4.
November 15 - Despite being outshot 34-23, Josh Ravensbergen led the way with a 31 save performance, helping the Cougars to a 4-3 win.
October 2 - Riley Heidt and Terik Parascak propelled the Cougar offence in their return to the lineup. The duo combined for six points in a 5-2 win.
Bouncing Back...
- With Tuesday's result in Tri-City, the Cougars have suffered five consecutive losses on the road. To keep the glass half full, the Cats do enter tonight with points in four straight games.
The Killers...
- A tough result on Tuesday didn't significantly dull the shine on the Cougars' penalty-kill units, as the group enters tonight's game with the league's 5th best kill rate (81.1%).
- The Cougars rank sixth in the WHL in short-handed goals (6)
Watch Em...
- The Cougars are on history watch tonight as captain Riley Heidt is one assist away from becoming the all-time assist leader in Cougars history (VIC & PG). Heidt is currently tied for the lead with Mark Morrison at 235 assists.
- Koehn Ziemmer enters tonight two goals shy of becoming the PG Cougars goal-leader. He currently owns 119 career goals, just one shy of alumnus Chase Witala who has 120 career tallies.
In Net...
- Assuming the Cougars' recent rotation in net continues, Josh Ravensbergen (24-9-3-1 - 3.07 GAA - .899 SV%) would be in line to return to the crease after Cooper Michaluk (5-6-1-1 - 3.61 GAA - .881 SV%) played on Tuesday.
- Should the team elect to go with Ravensbergen, the top ranked draft eligible North American goaltender would be seeking his fourth consecutive win.
On the Other Side...
- The Rockets enter tonight's game against the Cougar with nine straight losses. Their last victory came on January 10 against the Cougars at Prospera Place.
- Trudging forward without star forwards Tij Iginla and Max Graham, who both were required to have season-ending surgery, Kelowna has relied on St. Louis Blues prospect Jakub Stancl (45pts), and Michael Cicek (36pts).
- Special teams play has hampered the Rockets this year as the clubs owns the 19th ranked PP (19.4%) and 22nd-ranked PK (66.3%).
Injury/Roster Updates...
- Forward Ben Riche suffered an upper body injury on Jan. 28. He remains day-to-day.
- Defenceman Corbin Vaughan serves his 4th game of his 10 game suspension that was assessed to him on Jan. 28.
What's Next After This Game?
- The Cougars conclude the weekend on Saturday Feb. 8 when they visit the Kamloops Blazers at 6:00 pm at the Sandman Center.
- Next Home Game: Friday, Feb. 14 vs Everett | 7:00 p.m. | Tickets
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- Game Preview: Cougars at Rockets - Prince George Cougars
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