Cougars dig claws into Nats for chance at playoffs
The season is looking very good for the Vankleek Hill Cougars in the National Capital Junior Hockey League.
The Cougars shredded any chance that the Rockland Nationals had of surviving to the semi-finals round, after digging their claws into a four-one win-loss run in the opening round of the NCJHL playoffs schedule. A 4-3 overtime, Sunday afternoon in Rockland, brought the Cougars-Nationals faceoff to an end in Vankleek Hill’s favour.
The series began with a 5-1 win for Vankleek Hill on February 18, saw Rockland roar back the following day with an 8-2 trouncing of the Cougars. But the past week has belonged to the Cougars with a 7-0 shutout against the Nationals Feb. 22, followed by a 4-2 Saturday showdown over the Feb. 24 weekend and then Sunday’s OT clincher.
Sunday’s game saw single goals from Nicolas Castonguay, Charles Doyon, Antoine Messier, and Riley Sauvé. Assisting on the scoring that night were Doyon, Sauvé, MarcAntoine Doyon, Tyler Druce, and Maxime Emond. Anthony Vassall guarded the Vankleek Hill net.
Scoring for Rockland Sunday night were Paul Armstrong, Matthew Clement, and Vincent Martel. Assisting on the goals were Clement, Jeff Brett, Matthew Clifford, Patrick Lemay, and Garrett Reed. Lucas Samson warded the Rockland net. Les Cougars de Vankleek Hill remontent dans l’échelle du championnat de la Ligue de hockey junior de la capitale nationale. Les Cougars ont gagné quatre matchs sur cinq dans la première ronde du calendrier des séries éliminatoires de la LHJCN, contre les Nationals de Rockland. Cette victoire a valu au club de Vankleek Hill une place en demi-finale contre le vainqueur de la série Papineauville / Gatineau.