The Vankleek Hill Cougars are ahead of the Westport Rideaus by one game now in their semi-finals series in the National Capital Junior Hockey League.
“I am pretty happy with our games overall,” said Cougars Coach Ryan Allen during a phone call following last Saturday’s third game in the series.
The Cougars won their first home game of the series 4-3 against Westport, leaving them with a two-against-one lead after the first three games of the series.
Coach Allen noted that the road games in Westport take place in an arena with a smaller-sized rink than the Cougars are used to playing on.
“So we’ve had to adjust to their style of play,” he said.
That worked out for the Cougars in the game of the series with a win for Vankleek Hill. But the Rideaus rallied in the second game on their home ice for a win to tie with the Cougars until last Saturday night in Vankleek Hill.
“We had a good bounce back,” said Allen, adding the turning point followed after the first period when the Cougars began to take control of the game to maintain a one-point lead against Westport.
Allen noted that the huge home crowd turnout for the game also helped boost the Cougars’ confidence.
The Cougars host the Rideaus again this Friday night then go back to Westport Sunday afternoon. Allen said that now that the Cougars are familiar with the Westport arena setup, they can start using their own strength and speed “to put more pressure” on the Rideaus on the ice and at the net.
Friday, March 7, in Westport, the Rideaus won 4-3 in overtime, with Cougars Sebastien Ouimet scoring two goals and Zachary Sullivan a single. Assisting on the Vankleek Hill goals were Andy Lightle-Blais, Cody Horner, Zachary Bigras, Reid Cunning, and Jacob Crete.
Saturday, March 8, in Vankleek Hill, the Cougars beat Westport 4-3 in regular time. Bigras opened the scoreboard for the Cougars midway through first period, with an assist from Crete. Cougars Captain Lightle-Blais scored a goal each in second and third period, with Cody Horner firing in the winning goal in the last half of third period. Assisting on the goals were Crete, Cunning, Ouimet, and Brendan Easterbrook.
