Cougars nab hockey tournament gold

CEC posts undefeated record, nips Auburn Drive in championship game

The CEC Cougars went undefeated to win gold at the Auburn Classic boys’ high school hockey tournament. Members of the Cougars are, front, from left, Cody Patriquin and Steven Jackson; second row, Aiden Pitcher, Cody MacDonald, Brody Schmitt, Connor Miller and Weston Porter; third row, coaches Tom Whidden and Jeff Hazelton, Rylan McIntyre, Joseph Fagioli, Ryan Rath, Calum MacLeod, Hayden Roy, Cameron DeGroot, Luke Smith, Brayden Gray, Kyle Stuart, Keegan Grady and coaches Andre Robichaud and Vince MacCormack. Absent are Jackson Haight, Matt Melanson and Jeremy O'Connell.

TRURO, N.S. – The Cobequid Cougars found overtime to be the right time at the Auburn Classic high school boys hockey tournament last weekend.

Connor Miller’s unassisted goal with 2:26 left in the first overtime period lifted CEC to a 2-1 victory over the host Auburn Drive Eagles in the gold-medal game.

The Cougars scored the first goal of the game at 7:40 of the first period when Luke Smith struck with assists from Aiden Pitcher and Joseph Fagioli.

Steven Jackson made several key saves to keep the score 1-0 until Auburn scored on a deflected shot from the point with 1:44 left in regulation to force overtime.

In a semifinal, the Cougars broke open a close game with four unanswered goals in the third period to defeat the Lockview Dragons 8-3.

Hayden Roy had two goals, with single markers going to Rylan McIntyre, Smith, Miller, Brody Schmitt, Weston Porter and Fagioli. Cody MacDonald, Miller and Porter had two assists each with other assists collected by Schmitt, Keegan Grady, Fagioli, Smith and Pitcher. Jackson picked up the win in goal.

In the round-robin, the Cougars opened with a 6-1 in over the Dartmouth Spartans.

McIntyre and Miller each netted two goals and Roy and Calum MacLeod added singles. Assists went to Smith and Porter, with three each, MacLeod, with two, Cameron DeGroot, Brayden Gray and MacDonald. Jackson played nets.

In a 6-1 triumph over the Moncton Purple Knights, McIntyre led the way with two goals, while Miller, MacDonald, Schmitt and Porter had singles. Assists went to Smith and MacLeod, with two each, Pitcher, Fagioli, Miller, Porter, DeGroot and Gray. Cody Patriquin earned the win between the pipes.

In their other game, Patriquin stopped all shots directed his way as the Cougars rolled to a 6-0 win over the Sackville Kingfishers.

Miller scored twice with Roy, Gray, Ryan Rath and DeGroot chipping in single markers. Kyle Stuart had two assists and MacLeod, McIntyre, MacDonald, Porter and Roy had other helpers.

The Cougars next action is Thursday against the Northumberland Nighthawks at 6:30 p.m. at the Colchester Legion Stadium.