High-scoring weekend has Cougars roaring

December 22, 2015 · 0 Comments

Martin Lauzon makes the save on Caledon’s Daniel Cafagna in the first period of Schomberg’s 7-3 win over the Golden Hawks at Caledon East Arena on Sunday.

By Jake Courtepatte
The holiday season just got a little more cheery for the Junior C Schomberg Cougars.
Following a less-than-ideal fall stretch, back-to-back wins have the Cougars back in the midst of the Georgian Mid-Ontario Hockey League standings heading into a short Christmas break.
A crucial home game against the Erin Shamrocks on Thursday could mean the difference between sixth and eighth place, a factor the Cougars clearly considered.
Kiefer McIntosh brought his point streak to five games by opening the scoring on the power play, with Vince Decastro breaking a nine-game drought to lead 2-0 after one period.
Erin added two in the second, but a goal from Connor Whiteside kept the Cougars ahead going into the final frame. Four straight goals from Evan Woodhead, Derek Neilly, Linden Sturrock, and another from Whiteside had Schomberg cruise to a 7-2 victory.
Justin Formenton added four assists.

Cougars maul Hawks

In Caledon East on Sunday, the Cougars faced a surprisingly undisciplined Golden Hawks squad, a team that can usually be found on the positive side of special teams play.
It was Caledon who struck first, and second, on the power play, when Martin Lauzon was beat on a rebound with Ryley Egerton in the box. Midway through the first period, however, that was the end of Caledon’s offence.
With time running out in the first, JP Crescenzi squeaked one in short side past Sam Procopio to break the shutout. He went to the box minutes later, but his teammates went end-to-end on the ensuing face-off for a Ryley Egerton goal shorthanded to make it 2-2 after the first.
Heavy pressure in the second had the Hawks scrambling, with Carter LeRoux eventually spinning and firing underneath Procopio’s pad to give the Cougars the lead.
Caledon had a glorious opportunity to tie the game midway through the period, earning a full 5-on-3 power play when Lauzon knocked the net off during a breakaway attempt for Caledon’s Daniel Cafagna, while Brendan Spencer picked up a slashing call on the same play.
The Hawks hit two posts, but no goal. Randy Chen, a workhorse for the Hawks night after night, was kicked for abuse of officials just seconds later.
On the ensuing power play, LeRoux buried another rebound to make it 4-2, prompting the pulling of Procopio for Brendan Macham.
Schomberg added another on the power play with James Pitsadiotis in the box early in the third, before Caledon captain Nicholas McNutt was also bounced for showing his frustration.
Egerton and Liam Spurgeon both added empty-netters for Schomberg, for a final score of 7-3.
The win was a refreshing one on the road, a situation the Cougars have not handled well so far this year. Their third road win of the season brings their record to 12-15-2, good for sixth place in the nine-team league.
With a week between games, the Cougars are back in action this Sunday facing the Shamrocks on the road. A thinly-spread holiday schedule has them back on Erin ice one week later, taking on the Shamrocks for the third time in four games.
The next home game is not on tap until Jan. 7, when the Cougars host the Huntsville Otters at the Trisan Centre.
For stats, schedules, and more information, visit www.schombergcougars.com.