Cougars top Castors 3-1 in home opener

It was both a late and great start to the Vankleek Hill Cougars 2025-2026 National Capital Junior Hockey League (NCJHL) season, as the local club came back from an early deficit to top the Cumberland Castors 3-1, in front of a packed house at the Vankleek Hill Arena on Saturday night (Oct. 4).

The Cougars, playing their first game of the regular season a week later than most of the other NCJHL teams, came out strong in the first period, but were held off the scoresheet by Cumberland netminder Micah Sohmer. With 4:31 left in the period, Cumberland’s Jaren Ruperthouse drew first blood for the Castors, beating Vankleek Hill netminder Tristan Paquette, to put the Castors up 1-0 heading into the second period.

After a back-and-forth, first half of the second frame, Vankleek Hill forward Liam Lawson took advantage of a powerplay to score Vankleek Hill’s first goal of the 2025-2026 season, with assists to Jacob Crete and Connor Cook. Less than a minute later Zack Langlois scored from Zachary Sullivan and Brad Horner, to put the Cougars up 2-1.

Brad’s younger brother Cody Horner sealed the game for Vankleek Hill, scoring midway through the third period to give the Cougars a 3-1 lead they would not relinquish.

While it was a great opening night for the local club, with a win and a packed house, the game did deteriorate into a chippy affair late in the second and through the third period, resulting in a number of minor and major penalties to both teams.

With their season-opening win, the Cougars moved into fourth place in the NCJHL standings, although they have games in hand on every other team in the league.

Upcoming games

Vankleek Hill will be on the road to face the Kanata Kings at the Cavanaugh Sensplex on Saturday, October 11. Game time is 5:30 p.m.

The Cougars will travel again on Friday, October 17, as they face the Westport Rideaus at the WTC Communications Centre. Puck drop is scheduled for 8 p.m.

The Cougars will be back home at the Vankleek Hill Arena on Saturday, October 18, to host the North Dundas Rockets. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

Photo Gallery – Photos by Reid Masson