Cougars notch two more points

October 22, 2013 · 0 Comments

By Jeff Doner
The Schomberg Cougars won their only game for last week, taking two points away from the Fergus Devils in a 5-3 win on Thursday at the Trisan Centre.
The win gives them a sparkling 8-1-1 record in their last 10 games and moved them into a three-way tie for first place in the Georgian Mid-Ontario Jr. C standings.
Cougars’ goalie Garett Taylor captured the win over Fergus with 21 saves. Taylor played well in net, despite a tough assessment of his own play after the game.
“I’m feeling good, but I didn’t feel as though I played my greatest out there,” he said. “Three goals is kind of unacceptable for me, but I’ve just got to step forward and go after it the next game.”
However, Taylor had enough support from the Cougars’ offence to negate the three goals scored against and said he was just happy to get the win.
“It felt good. They’re a physical team and we don’t take teams too lightly when the physical game steps in, so it felt good to get the two points,” he said.
Right out of the gate the Cougars were on the prowl and looking to gain an early lead. Blake Culley made sure it happened with a goal just 26 seconds in, with John Gage and Nicholas Chaykowsky assisting on the play.
Less than a minute later, JP Crescenzi scored his first goal of the game to make it 2-0 for the Cougars. Bobby Quinn and Derek Neilly were credited with assists.
Devil Griffin Heitshu cut the Cougars’ lead in half mid-way through the first, but the Cougars buckled down and refused to let Fergus even the score.
In the second period the Cougars threw all they had at Fergus, firing over 20 shots at Devils goalie Alex Elliott, who made some stunning saves to keep his team in the game.
But things would start to turn against Elliott and the Devils, as the referees called a goal back against them and a string of bad penalties opened a door for the Cougars.
At 8:14, Mitch Safaric scored a power play goal to make it 3-1 for Schomberg, but a mere 14 seconds later, Fergus once again got to within one goal before heading into the final frame.
Schomberg captain Christian Muenz connected for his third goal of the season a minute and a half into the third on the power play to again give the Cougars a two-goal lead.
Mid way through the period, Fergus forward Ben Roelofson caught the Cougars scrambling in their own end and pushed the score to 4-3.
But as the period wore on the Devils continued to lead a parade to the penalty box, trying to knock the Cougars off their game.
Using the power play to their advantage, the speedy Crescenzi scored his second of the game to add the insurance marker in the 5-3 win.
It was Crescenzi’s sixth goal of the season and was assisted by Ryley Egerton and Brandon Yorke.
“I’ve been in a slump the past five games, so it was just good to be back out there scoring goals,” Crescenzi said after the game. “I feel like we could have done better, but a win is a win and tonight we did what we had to do.”
With his team in a battle for first place, Crescenzi said he feels the Cougars have taken an important step forward.
“I think we’re getting together well now,” he said. “We’re a good bunch of guys and we’re all good friends and it shows out there. We all stick up for one another and it goes to show that we’re all friends and family.”
Taylor agreed. “We’re a really close team and right from day one it felt like we all knew each other. Standing up for each other on the ice is a good sign of that.”
The Cougars’ next game is up against the Midland Flyers on Thursday night at 8:30 p.m. at the Trisan Centre. Earlier in the season, Midland handed the Cougars a hefty 9-2 loss, so the Cougars will be looking for redemption.
For more information on the Cougars, visit http://jrccougars.pointstreaksites.com.