Prince George firefighters are coming to the rescue of Teddy Bear tossers.
If you're sitting behind the goallines at CN Centre on Dec. 9 and the Prince George Cougars score their first goal of the game on Teddy Bear Toss night, you won't have to move to another section to donate stuffed animals or toques to the Salvation Army.
Prince George Fire Rescue will have firefighters in place to rappel down on ropes hung from the rafters to raise the protective end-zone netting and allow the fur to fly while the Cougars and Saskatoon Blades take cover on the ice.
The date was confirmed Wednesday when the Cougars released their WHL regular season schedule. This year, just like last season, the Cougars open the season south of the border. On Saturday, Sept. 20 they will be in Portland to play the Winterhawks, the defending Western Conference champions. The Cats' opening weekend concludes with a visit to Kennewick, Wash., to face the Tri-City Americans.
The Cougars' home opener is set for Friday, Sept. 26 against the Kelowna Rockets, the first of a consecutive-nights doubleheader with the Rockets. The Swift Current Broncos pay their first visit to Prince George in two seasons on Tuesday, Sept. 29. All four Saskatchewan-based teams and both Manitoba teams will be coming to CN Centre this season.
The Cats will host the Memorial Cup-champion Edmonton Oil Kings on Feb. 6-7 and will also entertain the Winterhawks in a two-game set, Jan. 16-17. Due to the Canada Winter Games during the last two weeks of Feburary, the Cougars play just one other home game that month, on Feb. 21, when they host Moose Jaw.
The longest homestand for the Cougars is in November, an eight-game stretch from Nov. 1-19. They're on the road for a five-game tour of the B.C. Division (Dec. 26-Jan. 3) and, after a stop in Kelowna on Feb. 9, play four games in Central Division buildings (Feb. 11-16).
The Cougars' 21st regular season in Prince George, dubbed the New Ice Age, wraps up with a two-game series at home March 18 and 20 against the Kamloops Blazers, their closest geographical rival, followed by a return date with the Blazers in Kamloops March 21. The Blazers and Cougars will also play in a Sunday afternoon game at CN Centre, Nov. 2
Season tickets are now on sale through Ticketmaster outlets at CN Centre or by calling 250-564-5585.
