Cougars take down Otters in high-scoring affair

January 14, 2015 · 0 Comments

Taylor Ewart made 28 stops in an 8-5 win over the Huntsville Otters last Thursday.

By Jake Courtepatte
With the playoffs in sight, the Junior C Schomberg Cougars are making a run at a bye to the quarter-finals.
They entered Thursday’s weekly home game at the Trisan Centre riding a 4-0-1 streak, ready to take on the surging Huntsville Otters, winners of 10 of their last 11 games.
After a strong defensive first period on both sides, team points leader Blake Culley opened the scoring for the Cougars with less than two minutes left in the frame.
Goaltender Taylor Ewart was solid at the other end, stopping all nine shots he faced.
Defenceman Brandon Yorke doubled the home team’s lead mid-way through the second, with helpers from Culley and John Gage.
The Otters stayed in the game with the help of the most exciting play in hockey – the penalty shot – earned when Jay Dix was tripped up on a breakaway with seven seconds left in the second.
He capitalized to make it a 2-1 game after two.
The third period was utter mayhem on both sides, with both teams just peppering the opposing goaltender with shot after shot.
When all was said and done, the Cougars had notched six goals in the frame countered by Huntsville’s four.
The final buzzer gave the Cougars an 8-5 victory.
After a slow start to the season, Culley has exploded recently to become an offensive force for the Cougars. He earned six points in the contest, bringing his point streak to an impressive twelve games.
He has 28 points in that time frame.
Gage and Yorke also had nights to remember, Yorke earning himself a hat trick and an assist while Gage picked up four helpers.

Loss to Penetang

It was another high-scoring affair the next night in Penetang, as the Cougars battled back from a 2-0 deficit after the first period to tie the game heading to the final period.
After trading goals in the third, including Nicholas Chaykowsky’s second of the year, Ewart was beaten with only five minutes left on the clock to put the Cougars in a hole.
The Kings added an empty-net goal for good measure as time expired on a 5-3 loss for the Schomberg squad.
With only five games left on the regular season schedule, it is still anyone’s guess where the Cougars will land for the GMOHL playoffs.
They currently sit tied for seventh with the Caledon Golden Hawks, but only seven points separate fifth and ninth place in league standings.
The Cougars will try to improve their playoff picture hosting the Kings on Thursday, in their only game action of the week.
Puck drop is at 8:30 p.m. at the Trisan Centre.
For stats, schedules, and more information, visit www.schombergcougars.com.