The worst appears to be over for the Cariboo Cougars.
Three consecutive weekends on the road against the top three teams in the B.C. Major Midget Hockey League didn't help the Cougars much in the standings.
After losing twice to the league-leading Okanagan Rockets and after dumping a two-game set with the second-place Vancouver Northwest Giants, the Cougars finally earned themselves a point Sunday in Langley.
They tied the third-place Valley West Hawks 1-1 to end a five-game losing streak, which helped soften the blow of a 5-3 loss to the Hawks (15-6-1) on Saturday, the final road trip before the Christmas break for the Cougars (12-8-2). Colton Thomas scored their goal, his fourth point of the weekend, and Jeremy Matte was solid in the Cariboo nets.
Brian Albee and Steven Jandric also scored for the Cougars on Saturday. Thomas, a Quesnel minor hockey product, contributed a goal and two assists. Lane Delfs took the loss in goal.
The tie left the Cougars one point behind the North Island Silvertips and Fraser Valley Thunderbirds and two back of the South Island Royals. The Cougars host the fourth-place Greater Vancouver Canadians this weekend at CN Centre. Saturday's game is a 4:15 p.m. start, while Sunday's game starts at 10 a.m.
The Cougars will take on the Cariboo Cougars alumni squad Dec. 23 at 7 p.m. at CN Centre before they leave for Calgary for the Mac's Midget Tournament, which starts Dec. 26.
