WHL: Bolshakov learning the ropes

These are notes from a regular season game featuring the Prince George Cougars as well as a brief look at two of the more prominent Vancouver Giants that night.

Stanislav Bolshakov (2004), LW, Prince George

Russian import displayed an effortless shot and an impressive first step burst .. passes crisp and on the tape .. backchecks and forechecks with passion .. keeps his feet moving .. drives to the net .. played on the PP .. skated with purpose all game, but generated few scoring chances .. picks up his man in his own zone .. must become more disciplined as he received a number of PIMS, most of which were not necessary.

Joshua Aspenlind (2004), RW, Prince George

Rookie forward supports his defense by coming back deep in his own zone .. quick skater .. got in a fight and did well, however, he got a game misconduct added to his five minute major.

Curtis Cooper (2004), D, Prince George

Tossed a lazy pass right up the middle that was intercepted and turned in to a quality scoring chance .. fluid skater .. nice rebound created by his accurate shot from the point .. played the pass on a two-on-one .. uses the wall effectively to clear the puck out of his zone .. played on the PP.

Eric Hunter (2004), LW, Prince George

Elite prospect played on both special team units .. lost the handle on a glorious scoring chance .. played a little chippy and vigorously finished his checks, often giving a poke to the chops of the player he was checking .. noticeably less involved after a being nailed by a bone-crunching hit that left him a bit dazed .. scored a goal on a turnover from sloppy defensive play.

Dustin Byfuglien (Chi), D/F, Prince George

Learned that he had weighed in at 300 lbs during the offseason, but has slimmed down to 270 pounds .. forced in to taking a hooking PIM when he was caught flat-footed .. surprisingly fast once he gets going .. supports his defensive partner .. played forward on the powerplay and even took a few face-offs .. almost impossible to move out of the crease or wherever he parks himself .. quick first step for a player his size .. extremely versatile.

Tyrell Moulton (2004), D, Prince George

Attended the Dallas Stars camp .. good passer .. agile skater .. held up the rushing forward .. got his lunched handed to him in a fight .. a mainstay on the PK, but did see some time on the powerplay (generally late).

Jonathan Filewich (Pit), RW, Prince George

Went to the after a face-off and backhanded the puck over the outstretched goalie for a highlight reel goal .. has NHL speed and mobility .. strong on his skates .. played on the PP and a bit on the PK.

Todd Ford (Tor), G, Prince George

Has the ability to slide his pad across while keeping the pad nearest to the shooter flat on its side .. made a nice blocker save off a labeled shot .. covers the low part of the net .. got beat between the five-hole on a low hard shot .. got pulled after the second period with his team trailing 5-1.

Adam Courchaine (Min), C, Vancouver

Undressed a Prince George defenseman and slipped a beautiful wrist shot far side underneath the goalie .. plays in every situation including the PP and PK .. drove to the net after giving a backhand pass to pounce on a juicy rebound.

Mitch Bartley (2004), LW, Vancouver

Clocked Eric Hunter, who had his head down, with a clean hit .. that led to a fight with Matthew Girling in which Bartley held his own .. the other player received an extra two for instigating the fight .. worked his tail off the hole game.