From the first day of training camp, Cougars bench boss Matt Samson said he has three lines that can lead the offence. Last weekend his prophetic words came true as the Cougars slashed the Armstrong Sharks twice, 5-2 and 7-3, and clipped the wings of the Lumby Fighting Saints 6-3.
On Friday night (Oct. 26) in Armstrong, the Cougars launched into the game, scoring at the three-minute mark after Kyle Marquette caught a rebounded puck for a 1-0 lead.
It was 3-0 in the first few minutes of the second before the Sharks narrowed the gap. Hanfstingl then scored his second for a lead of 5-1. The Sharks' Dan Kurtz made it 5-2 for the final.The Saturday rematch took place on neutral ice in Enderby. Nick Johnston gave the Cats an early lead at the two-minute mark. Oertel increased the Cats lead with two goals in the first. Sinclair Kim and Andy McKinney (his first WHA point) picked up the assists giving the cougars a 3-1 lead.
The Sharks responded on a powerplay to cut the Cats lead to two. The Cougars then broke the game open with two goals in the last five minutes of the period. Ross Pattison netted his first of the season with assists from Samson and Haubursin. The Cougars went on to win with a 7-3.If there was any game coach Samson was concerned about, it was the Sunday contest against the Lumby Fighting Saints. Three fights broke out in the final minute including one involving rookie Andy McKinney.
"Despite being the smallest guy on the Cougars, McKinney has no problem mixing it up, going in the corners," said Samson.
It only took a minute and a half for the Cats to strike. By the third, they'd gained a 5-0 lead, but were caught catnapping as the Saints scored three times. The Cats closed the door with one more goal for the 6-3 final.
The Welcome Home Party on Friday (Nov. 2) at Brennan Park with over $800 in prizes to give away.
