The Vankleek Hill Cougars Junior “C” hockey team dropped the only it they played over a weekend which saw the schedule interrupted by inclement weather.
On Saturday, the Cougars played host to the Clarence Castors in a contest between the top teams of the East Division. The game offered Vankleek Hill an opportunity to close the gap between the two, with the Castors sitting at 45 points to the Cougars’ 38.
Things would not go the Cougars’ way early, as the Castors would score first to close the opening frame with a 1-0 lead. Clarence would add another in the second but Vankleek Hill would stick with it, scoring two of their own to draw even at 2-2 heading into the third period. Unfortunately for the home team, the game would get away from them in the final frame. The Castors would get five past Cougars goalie Alexander Labrèche, while Vankleek Hill would only manage to pot one more, leading to a 7-3 final in the Castors’ favour. Captain Tyler Dopelhamer and alternate captain Keean McEachern both had a goal and an assist, with Nikolas Ayotte picking up the other Cougars’ tally. Vincent Huneault, Justin Labrosse, Zacharie Leblanc, and Danny Plourde-Grenon each had an assist. Labrèche suffered his first loss of the season.
The Cougars Sunday game against the St-Isidore Eagles was postponed due to inclement weather.
Vankleek Hill returns to action on Saturday, January 26, when they welcome the Gaineau Hull-Volant to the Vankleek Hill Arena. They then head to Clarence for another crack at the league-leading Castors.
The Cougars are currently second in the East Division and tied for second in the league with 38 points.
