The Vankleek Hill Cougars’ dreams of a National Capital Junior Hockey League Championship (NCJHL) are over.

The Gatineau-Hull Volant wrapped up their second NCJHL championship in a row, with a convincing 6-1 home victory over the Cougars on Friday, April 4 – taking the final series four games to one.

The turning point for the heavily favored Volant – who lost only three games during the regular season – was in Game 3, held at Stade Pierre Lafontaine in Gatineau on Sunday, March 30. The Volant’s 3-2 overtime win in a game the Cougars mostly dominated put the Gatineau-Hull squad up two games to one and was a backbreaker in what had been a tight series to that point.

Game 5 – Friday, April 4 – Vankleek Hill Cougars 1, Gatineau-Hull Volant 6

Making the most of their opportunity to clinch the NCJHL championship, the Volant came out firing in Game 5 in front of their home fans at Stade Pierre Lafontaine in Gatineau, building a 3-0 lead in the first period and never looking back.

Cougars forward Zachary Sullivan gave Vankleek Hill fans brief hope of a comeback, scoring with just over two minutes left in the second period to cut the Volant’s lead to 4-1. But Gatineau-Hull’s goal with just 41 seconds to play in the frame ended any hope of a sixth game in the series.

Game 4 – Wednesday, April 2 – Vankleek Hill Cougars 1, Gatineau-Hull Volant 4

With a packed house at the Vankleek Hill Arena, the Cougars were looking to tie up the NCJHL finals at two games apiece. But a stout defense and solid goaltending by Volant netminder Zachary Major foiled those plans, as Gatineau-Hull took a 4-1 win to take a three games to one stranglehold on the series.

With the Volant up 3-0, Zachary Bigras gave the hometown fans brief hope, scoring with 5:27 left in the third to cut the lead to two goals. With Cougars netminder Mael Gendron pulled for an extra attacker in the final minutes, Vankleek Hill pressed for another goal, but the Volant scored into the empty net with just over a minute left to send Cougars fans home disappointed.

Final thoughts on the Cougars’ 2024-2025 season

  • I had an absolutely wonderful time working with the Cougars as their statistician this season. Despite the loss to Gatineau-Hull in the NCJHL finals, it was a great season and an amazing playoff run. I loved our group of teammates we had this year. It was a very fun hockey year with the entire organization. I already can’t wait until next season!
  • Fan support for the Cougars in the playoffs was once again outstanding. A big thank you to all of the fans who showed up to cheer our team on. I saw so many familiar faces at every game!
  • Cougars coach Ryan Allen did an excellent job in his first year behind the bench. Allen and his staff: Assistant Coach and Assistant GM Keean McEachern; Assistant Coaches Zack Bougie and Hamish Cunning; Goalie Coach Bryce Luker; and Trainer Alex Lalonde, all worked very hard to ensure the team was prepared for every game. Thanks guys!!
  • Let’s not forget the front office. Co-owners Franky Dopelhamer (General Manager), Greg McEachern, Carl Bougie, and Keean McEachern (Assistant GM) pour their heart and souls into the Cougars organization and are always working to find players who can help the team win. We are very fortunate to have such a strong local ownership group.