The Chilliwack Bruins learned in a hurry how deadly the Coast Inn of the North Cougars can be when the get the puck in the offensive end.
Just 14 seconds into their opening game at the Prince George Tier 1 midget hockey tournament Friday morning at Kin 1, Cougars captain James Gordon pulled the puck out of the corner and lifted a shot high into the Chilliwack net.
It was an ominous sign of worse to come for the Bruins, who went on to lose 8-0.
The 17-year-old Gordon scored two more to record his fourth hat trick of the season, Brevin Gervais scored a pair and singles went to Braeden Young, Jarin Sutton and affiliated player callup Dean Whitcomb.
Jake Sweet stopped 10 shots to record the shutout.
The win improved the Cougars' season record to 24-1-1.
"It's pretty nice playing for a team this strong," said Gordon. "My first year of midget (two years ago when the Tier 1 Cougars finished second in the province) was close but that team didn't have the scoring ability we have. The whole team is stronger, we don't have to sit guys to win games like we did the first year.
"It's so much fun with team, not even just the winning. There's not really a big division between the third-years and the first-years, like some other teams. That's really nice."
The Cougars led 3-0 after one period but it took them half the game to find their stride, according to head coach Ryan Howse.
"It was a hard-fought first half and I think the jitters and excitement (of playing in their home tournament) kind of got to us a little bit ad we started to calm down and took control of the game after that," said Howse.
The Cougars went on to play the North Shore Winter Club Friday night at Kin 1. Today at 2 p.m. the Northeast B.C. Trackers of Fort St. John take on the Cougars at Kin 1. If they make it to Sunday's final, the Cougars will be on the ice at CN Centre for the puck drop at 1:45 p.m.
"It's our home tournament so that's always motivation for the boys, hopefully we'll be able to seal the deal," said Gordon.
