The Cariboo Cougars outplayed the Beardy's Blackhawks. Unfortunately, they didn't outscore them.
At the Mac's AAA Midget Hockey Tournament in Calgary on Sunday, the Blackhawks edged the Cougars 3-2. In the game, the Cats generated 29 shots on goal, to just 17 for the Blackhawks.
"We didn't capitalize on a couple power plays like we could have," said Cougars head coach Trevor Sprague. "I think both teams played very well but we took the game to them. I was happy, from a coaching standpoint, with the effort our guys put in. The bounces went (the Blackhawks') way."
The contest was the Mac's opener for both teams.
Landon Robin gave Beardy's the winning goal on a power play late in the third period. On the play, Brett Harris of the Cougars let Robin get away from him on the weak side and the Cats paid the price.
"(The Blackhawks) ended up putting it back door and in," Sprague said. "It was tough for a young buck like Harris."
The Cougars were awarded a power play shortly after the Beardy's goal but couldn't come up with the equalizer.
The Cats led 1-0 after the first period and were down 2-1 after the second. Cariboo marksmen were Chase Witala and Raymond Grewal. Both players are 2010 bantam draft picks of the WHL's Prince George Cougars.
Austin McDonald and Alex Forsberg -- the latter selected first overall by the Cougars in the 2010 bantam draft -- had the other goals for the Blackhawks.
The Cougars are off today and will battle the Sherwood Park Kings on Tuesday. They'll complete round-robin play with Wednesday and Thursday games against the San Jose Sharks and Calgary Northstars respectively.
"We've just got to keep the same kind of passion we showed (Sunday) and hopefully we'll be 3-1 and moving on into the playoffs," Sprague said.
