Intimidation goes a long way towards winning hockey games.
The Cariboo Cougars weren't afraid to use that tactic. They flexed their muscles early and often to draw first blood in their B.C. Major Midget Hockey League playoffs against the South Island Royals in a 6-0 triumph Friday afternoon at Kin 1.
Ty Kolle scored two goals to slice the offence and Dorrin Luding stopped all 14 shots he faced to complete the shutout in the opener of a best-of-three quarterfinal series. The Cougars can wrap it up with a win in Game 2 Saturday (3:45 p.m. start, Kin 1).
Kolle banged in a rebound of a shot from linemate Josh Maser on a delayed penalty, 8:13 into the second period for his first goal. Maser did most of the work, drawing a hooking penalty and then taking the puck deep on the Royals' goalie Austin Roden, who made the save but was unprepared for Kolle's follow-up. Kolle made it a 3-0 on a Cougars' power play six minutes later, scoring on a cross-ice feed from defenceman Chris Jandric.
Kolle said he and his wingers, twin bookends Tyler and Josh Maser, responded to a pep talk challenge issued by from head coach Trevor Sprague on the bench just before Kolle fired in his second of the game.
"I think we were all upset with the shift before and had one more chance to go out and showed what we had and I think we accomplished that," said Kolle, a 15-year-old from Quesnel.
"(The Masers) definitely pave a path for me, they mow guys down and they're intimidating and guys don't want to touch the puck when we're on the ice, so it's pretty nice playing with them."
Reid Perepeluk got the Cougars started just 1:06 into the game when he took a stab at a low point shot from Jonas Harkins, deflecting the puck with just enough steam to cross the goal line.
The Cougars dictated play pretty much the rest of the period, outshooting the Royals 14-4 in the opening 20 minutes despite taking three minor penalties. The Royals had the Cougars pinned in their own zone on a two-man advantage but were unable to generate any quality shots that got through to goalie Luding.
Cougars veteran defenceman Jeremy Gervais set the tone with his physical tendencies along the boards, smart puck movement and a couple of key shot blocks which knocked the stuffing out of the Royals' 5-on-3 power play.
"We have a lot more skill than that team so if we go out there and work hard every shift, they're no match for us," said Gervais. "We're a team that bangs bodies so it was nice to get in their face. I like that kind of stuff."
The Cougars built a 28-9 shot advantage through two periods and Tyler Ho sunk the dagger in six minutes into the third, scoring on a breakaway with a shot through the legs of Rodin. Trey Thomas and pointman Jesse Pomeroy each followed with goals of their own.
Special teams were a factor. The Cougars went 2-for-4 on the power play while the Royals were scoreless in six opportunities, managing just three shots with the extra skater.
Royals head coach Trent Brandvold admitted his team struggled with the physical nature of Friday's game, like they did earlier in the season when they lost to the Cougars 4-0 and 5-2 in Prince George.
"We can't play scared if we want to win playoff hockey," said Brandvold.
"They're a big strong team and they finish their checks and being younger players they might be a little intimidated. We had some opportunities offensively but didn't capitalize. Special teams win hockey games and you have to capitalize."
If a third game is required, the opening face-off is at 10 a.m. on Sunday.
