Cougars take bite out of Ice, sweep two-game series
By The Nelson Daily Sports
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The red-hot streak by Kootenay Ice standards came to a crashing end after the Cariboo Cougars swept a pair of B.C. Major Midget Hockey League games during the weekend in the Thompson region.
Harjas Grewal had three points, including two goals, to lead the Cougars to a 7-4 victory Sunday at McArthur Island Sports Centre in Kamloops.
Saturday, Cariboo scored three unanswered goals in the third period to rally past the Ice 5-3. Kootenay entered the series against the Cougars with a 4-1-3 record in the past eight games.
Sunday, the Ice watched as the Cougars exploded for three second period goals to open a 5-2 advantage.
Cariboo increased the margin to 7-2 before the Ice rallied for a pair of goals to make the score respectable.
Dryden Hunt of Nelson led the Ice with a pair of goals while Derek Georgopoulus of Cranbrook had two points. Nelson’s Carsen Willans, with his eight goals and 21st point of the season, had the final marker.
Saturday, Kootenay was clinging to a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes before the northern squad found its offence.
Justin Duncan tied the game with seven minutes remaining in the period. Less than a minute later Brett Harris gave Cariboo the lead for good before Grewal added an insurance marker.
Georgopoulus, with a pair, and Hunt replied for Kootenay. Georgopoulus and Hunt finished the game with three and two points, respectively.
Jesse Knowler of Castlegar, who won the fastest skater competition during the skills part of the BCMMHL All Star Game in Chase, had two assists.
Kootenay, 6-16-6, remains in 10th spot in the 11-team league, 28 points out of top spot.
The Ice host South Island Thunderbirds this weekend at the Civic Centre and NDCC Arenas.
Saturday’s game is at 3:30 p.m. in the Civic Arena while the teams meet Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in the NDCC Arena.
sports@thenelsondaily.com
