Cougars fall 3-2 to Volant in overtime

The Vankleek Hill Cougars will head back home down two games to one after a heartbreaking 3-2 overtime road loss to the Gatineau-Hull Volant in Game 3 of the National Capital Junior Hockey League (NCJHL) finals.

Whatever the outcome, the NCJHL playoffs will end next weekend, with the final four games all scheduled to take place this week.

Game 4 in the series moves back to the Vankleek Hill Community Centre this Wednesday, April 2. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Game 5 will take place on Friday, April 4, at Stade Pierre Lafontaine in Gatineau. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.

If necessary, Game 6 will be held in Vankleek Hill on Saturday April 5, with a 9 p.m. start time. Game 7 is scheduled for Centre Slush Puppie in Gatineau on Sunday, April 6, beginning at 6:45 p.m.

Game 3 – Sunday, March 30 – Vankleek Hill Cougars 2, Gatineau-Hull Volant 3 (OT)

The Cougars fought hard in this one, tying up the game at 2-2 late in the third period, just minutes after the Volant had taken a 2-1 lead. Mael Gendron took the loss in net for Vankleek Hill, despite playing a strong game.

Game 2 – Friday, March 28 – Vankleek Hill Cougars 5, Gatineau-Hull Volant 4

Vankleek Hill Cougars captain Andy Lightle-Blais scored a hat trick, including the winning goal early in the third period, as the Cougars beat the Gatineau-Hull Volant 5-4 to even up the NCJHL finals at one game apiece.

Lightle-Blais and Cougars forward Garrett Cunning each scored twice in the first period, as Vankleek Hill jumped out to a 4-1 lead in front of a full house of cheering fans at the Vankleek Hill Community Centre. Gatineau-Hull’s Julien Arruda scored two unanswered goals in the second period to narrow the lead to 4-3, before Lightle-Blais’ third goal early in the third restored the Cougars’ two-goal lead.

Mael Gendron was outstanding in the Vankleek Hill goal to earn the win. Malcolm Seguin had three assists in the game, while Jacob Crete added a pair of assists.

Game 1 – Wednesday, March 26 – Vankleek Hill Cougars 1, Gatineau-Hull Volant 4

Connor Cook scored the lone Vankleek Hill goal on a pass from Reid Cunning, as the Cougars fell 4-1 to the Gatineau-Hull Volant in Game 1 of the NCJHL finals.

The teams were tied at 1-1 after one period, before the Volant scored two unanswered goals in the second frame to head into the third up 3-1. An empty net goal with 55 seconds left sealed the deal for the Volant.

Photo Gallery – Cougars vs. Volant – Friday, March 28, 2025

Photos by Sylvain Lauwers