Fuel added to rivalry

The Mount Royal Cougar men’s hockey team played their first game of 2011 against the NAIT Ooks, and exhibited what was perhaps a little rust from the holiday layoff, losing 2-0 in NAIT Arena.

The Cougars would bounce back the following night by beating the Ooks 4-3 at the Flames Community Arenas, showing the type of resiliency that has them just three points back of the conference-leading SAIT Trojans.

The Ooks scored a powerplay goal early in the first period on Friday, and goaltender Greame Harrington did the rest en route to the victory. The Cougars failed to convert on their six powerplay opportunities, and could do no better in 5-on-5 play.

Saturday’s rematch proved to be quite the battle, and the Cougars had to rely on the outstanding play of netminder Justin Cote to escape with the home ice win. In a game that kept the referees busy with nine 10-minute misconduct penalties and two game misconducts, this growing rivalry was at its fiercest on this night.

The Ooks drew first blood midway through the first period, but the Cougars would respond just two minutes later, as Barry Horman put one past Harrington on his way to a two point night. Cougar Curtis Beech took a checking-from-behind penalty with less than two minutes left in the first, and was ejected from the game.

Down 2-1 entering the second frame, the Cougars’ Eric Galbraith tied the game just before the six minute mark. The Cougars would take the lead just four minutes later when Grant Toulmin put one past Harrington to make it 3-2. The Ooks would respond, however, and the two teams entered the final period knotted at three goals apiece. The Ooks outshot the Cougars 25-15 in the first two periods.

The third period remained scoreless until the 16:30 mark, when Jesse Perrin beat Harrington with the eventual game-winner.

With just ten seconds remaining, the Cougars took four ten-minute misconduct penalties and Jeremy Wagner took the Cougars’ second checking-from-behind penalty of the game. He was consequently ejected.

The Cougars were outshot 39-22, but Coté was rock-solid as the home team held on to win.

These two teams will not play again during the regular season, but could potentially meet in the ACAC playoffs in February.

The Cougars will be back in action next Friday as they take on the Concordia Thunder in the first game of their home-and-home series. The Cougars will be back at Flames Community Arenas on Saturday, January 15th. Puck drops at 7:30 p.m.