Cue the comeback!
The Vankleek Hill Cougars came back from 2-0 first period deficits twice last weekend, topping first the Westport Rideaus at home on Saturday night, then the Kanata Kings on the road on Sunday afternoon – both wins coming by identical 4-2 scores.
Saturday, Oct. 10 – Cougars 4, Westport Rideaus 2
Defenseman Brad Horner had a goal and two assists, while Cody Horner notched a goal and an assist, as the Cougars came back from an early 2-0 deficit to score four unanswered goals and top the Rideaus 4-2.
With Vankleek Hill trailing 2-0 after one period, forward Tristan Simoneau ignited the home crowd at 5:36 of the second, jumping on a rebound and sliding it under Westport goaltender Taiki Mossman to cue the comeback. Brad Horner then tied the game with just under five minutes left in the frame, and Zachary Sullivan gave the Cougars their first lead of the night, notching a power play goal with two minutes to go in the second. Cody Horner scored with just over two minutes left in the game to seal the victory.
Tristan Paquette earned the win in goal, stoning Westport for two periods after giving up two in the first. Jacob Crete had two assists on the night for Vankleek Hill.
Sunday, Oct. 11 – Cougars 4, Kanata Kings 2
Jacob Crete fired home the winning goal early in the third period, while Cody Horner had a goal and an assist, as the Cougars once again roared back from being down 2-0 after the first period, to earn a 4-2 road win over the Kanata Kings.
Trailing 2-0 entering the second, Cougars captain Cody Horner wasted no time in beginning the comeback, scoring a power play goal just 23 seconds into the second frame on a pass from Simoneau. Cougars forward Bruno Laframboise evened up the score with an unassisted goal at 12:15 of the period.
The Cougars struck again early in the third, with Crete notching what would eventually prove to be the winner from Simoneau and Cody Horner. Alexandre Mayer wrapped up the afternoon’s scoring midway through the third, with assists going to Alexy Plante and Ryder Hill.
Once again after allowing two goals in the first, Cougars goaltending shut the door for the remainder of the game. This time it was Devon Madden who earned the win in net for Vankleek Hill.
Slow starts a concern for coaching staff
With the two weekend wins, the Cougars remain undefeated so far in the 2026-2027 National Capital Junior Hockey League season, sitting in second with a 4-0-0-0 record. The Metcalfe Jets (5-1-0-1) sit in first place – three points ahead Vankleek Hill – but have played three more games.
Despite their solid start to the season, there are issues, such as sloppy first periods, which need to be corrected, said head coach Hamish Cunning.
“We’re going to learn that we have to be ready to play from the start of the game,” Cunning bemoaned. “We can’t take the first 20 minutes off – which is basically what we did the last two games.”
“We’re going to make sure they’re prepared for the first period next game. We’ll work on that in practice. We can’t rely on coming back from two-goal deficits every weekend.”
Home and home series against Cumberland this weekend
Vankleek Hill will face third place Cumberland (3-2-0-0) this weekend in a home-and-home two game series.
The Cougars will host the Castors at the Vankleek Hill Arena on Saturday, October 17. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
The roles will be reversed on Sunday, October 18, as the Cougars travel to Cumberland for a 7:20 start at the Ray Friel Recreation Complex.
“It will be a good test for us because they can put the puck in the net,” said Cunning, of the high-flying Castors, who have scored 35 times in just five games. “But we have some guys that can put the puck in the net too. We just have to be ready for the start of the game and play our system.”
Photo Gallery – Cougars vs Westport Oct. 10
