Cougars Split Weekend Series with Bulldogs
In their final game action before winter break, the Sault College Cougars faced off against the Adrian Bulldogs in a Sunday matinée. The Cougars got off to a fast start with Ethan Esposito scoring 22 seconds into the game on a bad angle shot. Kyle Finateri and Nick Jameus would earn the helpers on the goal. Jake Kovacs extended the Cougars lead to two goals at the 14:08 mark as he scored on the power play set up from Finateri. The Bulldogs would get one back before the period expired, cutting the lead to 2-1.
As the second period got underway, the Cougars fell into penalty trouble asking their penalty killer to manage 9 minutes of shorthanded time in the frame. After killing off an extended penalty the Cougars were able to generate some momentum late in the period. With time winding down, captain Caleb Wood would be the benefactor of a mad scramble in front of the Bulldogs crease, notching his fifth goal of the season. Ethan Novello and Cameron Lemcke would record the assists on the play and the Cougars would head into the third period with a 2-goal lead.
The Adrian Bulldogs would come out flying, throwing pucks on the net from every angle. The Bulldogs would break through at the 4:35 mark, trimming the deficit to 3-2. The Bulldogs would score again thirty seconds later tying the game at 3-3. With the game tied, and teams going back and forth, the Bulldogs were once again able to find twine to give themselves their first lead of the game with just over four minutes remaining. A late power play for the Cougars would give them a chance to tie things up, however, the Bulldog penalty killers would be the benefactors, scoring a pair of empty net goals to cap off a 6-3 victory. Trennis Riley made 39 saves in the loss as the Cougars were outshot 45-33.
The Cougars finished the first half of the season with a 15-6-0-0 record and ranked #7 regionally. Sault College will head on winter break and return to action on January 11th, 2025, as they host the Wisconsin Eau-Claire Blugolds for the 2025 Winter Classic at the Northern Community Centre. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the athletics office, or at the door for $10.