Sharp Bourhis pots 2 but Cougars go down to defeat
Austin Bourhis would have preferred two points over two goals.
The University of Regina Cougars defenceman enjoyed his finest offensive game in the Canada West men’s hockey ranks on Saturday, albeit in a losing cause.
“It’s team-first, obviously,” Bourhis said at the Cooperators Centre after a 5-3 loss to the Manitoba Bisons. “We’re fighting for a playoff spot here, so the end result is what matters. You can’t come away too happy with that.
“We did a lot of good things but still, in the end, we didn’t get the W or the two points. That’s the bottom line.’’
The defeat, which followed Friday’s 5-3 victory over the visiting Bisons, left the Cougars with a 7-15-2 conference record. Manitoba improved to 12-12-0.
In order to make the playoffs, the Cougars will require a torrid finish to the regular season.
They are to return to action Friday in Vancouver against the UBC Thunderbirds, who also play host to the Cougars the following evening. Regina is to conclude its regular-season slate against the Calgary Dinos, who are to visit the Cooperators Centre for games on Jan. 29 and 30.
“We’re in tough,” Cougars assistant coach Russ Nielsen said. “We’ve got to win some games.”
Staying out of the penalty box would also be beneficial. Regina was assessed eight of the game’s 11 minor penalties on Saturday.
“We took eight penalties in the first two periods,” Nielsen lamented. “Anytime we had a good shift, we followed it up with a penalty. Whether we scored or not, it just killed all momentum.’’
Aaron Lewadniuk had a hat trick for Manitoba. Regina had closed the gap to 3-2 before Lewadniuk scored his second goal of the game at 17:44 of the second period. He followed up 110 seconds later with Manitoba’s second power-play goal of the game.
Bourhis closed the gap to 5-3 at 2:32 of the third period. He had also opened Regina’s scoring at 15:03 of the first period. He entered the game with one goal this season.
Sanfred King, with his third goal in a two-game span, completed the scoring for Regina. Taylor Dickin had Manitoba’s other goal.
Cougars starting goalie Mitch Kilgore was lifted after stopping 12 of 15 shots in the first period. Lucas Gore proceeded to stop 19 of 21 shots for Regina. Manitoba’s Byron Spriggs made 29 saves.
Spriggs did have difficulty solving Bourhis, who on Saturday matched his goal output for the entire 2013-14 season — his first with the Cougars.
“It was good to have my parents in the stands to see (the two-goal game), because it doesn’t happen very often,’’ said Bourhis, who recalled that his previous twogoal game was five years ago with the SJHL’s Yorkton Terriers.
“It felt pretty good. It was good for my confidence, anyways.’’
Ed and Susan Bourhis, Austin’s parents, are regulars at Cougars games. They are accustomed to driving to Regina from the family home in Kipling to watch their 22-year-old son play CIS hockey.
“It’s greatly appreciated,’’ said Bourhis, who was presented with the Cougars’ player-of-the-month award for November on Saturday. “It definitely makes you want to keep playing hockey, knowing that you have that support from home.
“It’s great. I love to see them here.”