Offensively, Troy Bourke and Alex Forsberg will be expected to inflict serious damage against opposing teams this Western Hockey League season.
They sure looked good against their own mates Tuesday night at CN Centre.
During the annual Prince George Cougars intra-squad game, Bourke and Forsberg played together on a line and created quality chances for Team Brewer every time they were between the boards. In a 7-6 loss to Team Connolly, Bourke scored two goals and Forsberg tallied once and added an assist.
They were the most noticeable players on the ice, and their totals could have been much more inflated.
Both guys were strong on their blades and, when on the rush, easily skated away from defenders. They also showed great chemistry and anticipation in the offensive zone, and that was especially evident on the fourth Team Brewer goal.
That marker, which gave Team Brewer a 4-1 lead early in the second period, saw Bourke accept a feed from Forsberg in the left faceoff circle and - in pro-like fashion - snap the puck off the crossbar and in. Goaltender Ty Edmonds was already on his knees and had no chance to make the stop.
Last season, Bourke and Forsberg were the top two scorers for the Cats. Bourke (56 points in 71 games) was rewarded for his work when he was drafted by the Colorado Avalanche in June. The Avs selected him in the third round (72nd overall), much earlier than the projections for the Onoway, Alta., product.
Forsberg, meanwhile, was dynamic as a WHL rookie last season but was held to just 51 games because of shoulder and hip injuries. In the games he did play, he piled up 40 points. If he can remain healthy and productive this season - as the Cougars desperately need him to - he should find himself property of an NHL team next June.
Another guy who stood out on Tuesday, for the wrong reasons, was Team Brewer goaltender Devon Fordyce. He replaced starter Tyler Santos half way through the game and quickly gave up two goals, one to defenceman Dallas Ehrhardt and the other to Chase Witala. Before the night was done, Fordyce was beaten two more times, the goals by a hard-driving Daulton Siwak and Colin Jacobs, on a breakaway. The marker by Jacobs came late in the third period and stood as the winner. Fordyce would seem to have a lock on the No. 1 job in net this season but will have to be stronger once the pre-season begins.
Other Team Connolly goals were courtesy of Jordan Tkatch, Zach Pochiro and John Odgers. For Team Brewer, Jari Erricson, Tate Olson and Brock Hirsche rounded out the scoring.
Goaltender Brett Zarowny also saw time in the Team Connolly crease.
In the defence-free affair, Team Brewer outshot Team Connolly 32-30.
The intra-squad game marked the end of training camp. The first pre-season contest for the Cats is Saturday in Edmonton against the Red Deer Rebels. On Sunday, also in Edmonton, the Cougars will take on the Medicine Hat Tigers.
The first home game on the exhibition schedule is Friday, Sept. 7 against the
Edmonton Oil Kings.
