The Prince George Cougars, ranked No. 2 in Canada and tops in the Western Hockey League, return to home ice tonight to take on the Red Deer Rebels.
After wrapping up their East Division tour with a 5-0 win over the Prince Albert Raiders last Saturday, the Cougars started this week moving up from third to second in the Canadian Hockey League top-10 rankings.
Only the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL (13-4-1-0) have a better record than that of the Cougars (12-5-0-0).
Three other WHL teams are in the top-10 rankings.
The Portland Winterhawks are No. 3, right behind the Cougars. The Winterhawks pasted the Kamloops Blazers 7-3 Wednesday in Kamloops to improve to 11-4-0-1.
Saskatoon Blades (12-5-0-0) edged the Regina Pats 2-1 Wednesday to tighten their grip on top spot in the Eastern Conference, ranked No. 6 in the CHL, while the Moose Jaw Warriors (10-8-0-0) are at No. 7.
The Rebels (6-9-0-2, 10 in Eastern Conference) are coming off a 4-3 loss Wednesday in Langley to the Vancouver Giants.
The Cougars-Rebels opening face-off tonight on Veterans Appreciation Night is 7 p.m.
