The Vankleek Hill Cougars split their two games last weekend, topping the Cumberland Castors 7-1 at home on Saturday evening, before falling on the road to the rival St-Isidore Eagles 3-2 in overtime.
Despite Sunday’s loss in St-Isidore to the fifth place Eagles, the Cougars remain solidly in third place in the National Capital Junior Hockey League (NCJHL) standings. Vankleek Hill (18-7-1-1) has 38 points and trail the second place Westport Rideaus (21-9-0-1) by five points, but the Cougars have four games in hand. The Gatineau-Hull Volant (27-2-0-0) remain in first place with 54 points.
Saturday, January 18 – Vankleek Hill Cougars 7, Cumberland Castors 1
The Cougars received balanced scoring across the board, as seven different players found the back of the net, in the home team’s 7-1 win over the Cumberland Castors at the Vankleek Hill Arena last Saturday.
Garrett Cunning, Brenden Easterbrook, Cody Horner, Bruno Laframboise, Andy Lightle-Blais, Sebastien Ouimet, and Malcolm Seguin were the goal scorers for Vankleek Hill. Ouimet added three assists, while Lightle-Blais and Jacob Crete each had two helpers.
Tristan Paquette played a solid game in net for Vankleek Hill, turning away multiple scoring opportunities by the Castors and allowing only a single goal.
Sunday, January 19 – Vankleek Hill Cougars 2, St-Isidore Eagles 3 (OT)
Kyle Huneault scored the overtime winner, as the St-Isidore Eagles took a hard-earned 3-2 overtime win over the visiting Vankleek Hill Cougars on Sunday, January 19.
Eagles’ fans, as well as the Cougars supporters who made the trip to the nearby St-Isidore Arena, were treated to a back and forth contest between the two Junior C rivals. The teams traded goals in the first period, before a scoreless second frame sent the game into the third period tied 1-1. Each team again scored twice in the third to send the game to overtime.
Mathieu Belanger and Bruno Laframboise were the goal scorers for Vankleek Hill, while Matheo Pierre-Marcier had two assists. Oliver Chagnon and Justin Cloutier replied for St-Isidore, prior to Huneault’s overtime heroics. Justin Casault earned the win in net for the Eagles, while Mael Gendron took the loss for the Cougars.
With the win, the Eagles (14-12-2-2) solidified their hold on fifth place in the NCJHL standings.
Upcoming games
The Cougars are on the road for the next three games, beginning this Friday, January 24, when they travel to Centre Slush Puppie in Gatineau-Hull to play the first place Volant. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
On Sunday, January 26, Vankleek Hill heads to Cumberland for a rematch with the Castors. Game time at the Ray Friel Recreation Complex is scheduled for 7:20 p.m.
The Metcalfe Jets will host Vankleek Hill at Larry Robinson Arena on Friday, January 31. Game time is 8:15 p.m.
The Cougars finally return home to the Vankleek Hill Arena on Saturday, February 1, to face a rematch against Metcalfe. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
A rare Sunday afternoon contest will take place at the Vankleek Hill Arena on Sunday, February 2, as the Cougars host the South Grenville Rangers. Puck drop is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
NCJHL Standings as of January 20, 2025
