Saturday, Nov. 8 – Vankleek Hill Cougars 5, Metcalfe Jets 1
The Vankleek Hill Cougars continued their torrid start to the National Capital Junior Hockey League 2025-2026 season, with a 5-1 win over the Metcalfe Jets (4-6-0-0) in front of their home fans on Saturday night (November 8).
Nolan Macmillan scored twice, while Garrett Cunning, Bruno Laframboise, and Ryan Wolowicz each had single markers, as the Cougars topped the Jets in front of a full house at the Vankleek Hill Arena.
Reid Cunning had two assists, while netminder Mael Gendron stopped all but one of Metcalfe’s 27 shots on goal in the victory. The Cougars fired 39 shots at Metcalfe netminder Cedric Nadon, who made a number of outstanding saves to keep the game close through two periods.
With Vankleek Hill up only 2-1 after two periods, the Cougars struck three times in less than two minutes to put the game away. Macmillan scored the first of his two goals midway through the third frame to restore the Cougars’ two goal lead. Less than a minute later Wolowicz scored and then a minute later Macmillan notched his second to seal the 5-1 victory.
The Cougars were scheduled to travel to Cumberland to face off against the Castors on Sunday evening (November 9), however the game was canceled due to the snowstorm blanketing Eastern Ontario.
The Vankleek Hill Junior C squad has been on a tear in its past several games, posting several shutouts and outscoring their opponents by a significant margin. In 10 games, the Cougars have given up only 10 goals against, while scoring 58 goals themselves.
Cougars, St-Isidore tied for first with undefeated records
Just 10 games into the regular season, only two teams remain undefeated in the National Capital Junior Hockey League (NCJHL). After 10 games, both Vankleek Hill and the St-Isidore Eagles sport perfect 10-0-0-0 records, to sit tied for first place in the NCJHL standings.
St-Isidore shut out the Morrisburg Lions 5-0 on the road on Saturday night (November 8), keeping pace with the Cougars in the race for first place in the NCJHL.
The Eagles have also handily outscored their opponents, tallying 50 goals, while giving up only 18 against.
Vankleek Hill and St-Isidore are not scheduled to play each other until Saturday, November 29, when the Cougars will host the Eagles at the Vankleek Hill Arena. Game time is 7:30 p.m. You won’t want to miss this one!
Upcoming games
The Cougars will face off against the North Dundas Rockets at the Vankleek Hill Arena on Saturday, November 15, in their lone contest next weekend. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
On Saturday, November 22, the Cougars will host the Westport Rideaus in a game slated to start at 7:30 p.m. The following day (Sunday, November 23) Vankleek Hill will be at home again to face the South Grenville Rangers in a 4:30 p.m. afternoon game.
Photo Galley – Cougars vs Metcalfe – Photos by Sylvain Lauwers
Cougars forward Garrett Cunning (23) celebrates after scoring early in the second period to give Vankleek Hill a 2-0 lead over the Metcalfe Jets on Saturday, November 8. Cunning’s marker stood up as the winning goal in Vankleek Hill’s 5-1 win. (Photo: Sylvain Lauwers)
Cougars goaltender Mael Gendron (30) makes a save, while forward Ethan Butler (16) guards against a rebound in the Cougars’ 5-1 win over the Metcalfe Jets on Saturday, November 8. (Photo: Sylvain Lauwers)
Vankleek Hill Cougars defenseman Zack Langlois (11) fires a shot on Metcalfe Jets netminder Cedric Nadon, as Cougars forward Connor Cook (25) looks for a deflection in the Cougars’ 5-1 win over the Jets on Saturday, November 8. (Photo: Sylvain Lauwers)
Cougars forward Bruno Laframboise (5) receives congratulations from his teammates, after scoring the opening goal in the Cougars’ 5-1 win over the Metcalfe Jets on Saturday, November 8. (Photo: Sylvain Lauwers)
Cougars forward Alexandre Mayer (8) and Metcalfe’s Jackson Marshall come together during Vankleek Hill’s 5-1 win over the Jets on Saturday, November 8. (Photo: Sylvain Lauwers)
Vankleek Hill forward Nolan Macmillan (14) fires the puck off the shoulder of Metcalfe goaltender Cedric Nadon (1) in the Cougars’ 5-1 win over the Jets on Saturday, November 8. (Photo: Sylvain Lauwers)
Vankleek Hill Cougars Head Coach Hamish Cunning (centre) has a friendly chat with the referee during the Cougars’ 5-1 win over the Metcalfe Jets on Saturday, November 8. (Photo: Sylvain Lauwers)
Mac Hinton, Review sports columnist and statistician for the Cougars, at Saturday’s game against the Metcalfe Jets. (Photo: Sylvain Lauwers)
Metcalfe’s Nick Spirito scored in the second period to narrow Vankleek Hill’s lead to 2-1 in the Cougars’ 5-1 win over the Jets on Saturday, November 8. (Photo: Sylvain Lauwers)
Vankleek Hill’s Zachary Sullivan (9), Ryan Wolowicz (17) and Ethan Butler (16) storm Metcalfe Jets netminder Cedric Nadon, in the Cougars’ 5-1 win on Saturday, November 8. (Photo: Sylvain Lauwers)
