One step back, two steps forward.
That's how the Northern Cougars hockey team fared, winning two of three games in a weekend road set against the Vernon Lakers in the B.C. Female Midget AAA League.
The Cats lost their opener 2-1 Friday but rebounded to beat the Lakers with 7-3 scores both Saturday and Sunday.
"In the first game we just couldn't score but a lot of good things carried through on Saturday and Sunday," said Cougars head coach Mario Desjardins. "We got a lot of pucks to the net on Saturday and Sunday and changed a few things that opened up their defensive zone coverage that wasn't there before. Sunday we played the same system and game plan but in both games there was a three- or four-minute gap where we fell asleep and they scored. Hopefully that's not a trend that continues into the season.
"Vernon is a very good team and they never quit."
On Sunday, the Cougars outshot the Lakers 37-13. Veteran forward Ava Keis led the way with two goals and one assist, while Madison Fjellstrom, Cassidy Mellott and Marissa Nichol each picked up a goal and an assist. Sydney Jordan also netted a lone goal and Jocelyn Forrest and Sage Desjardins each added three helpers.
Nichol scored twice and added an assist in the Cougars victory Saturday. Forrest notched two goals, while Sage Desjardins potted a goal and a pair of helpers. Fjellstrom and Victoria Johnston each picked up a goal and an assist. Keis added three assists.
Hunter Mosher's lone goal figured in the Northern Cougars' loss on Friday as the squad outshot the Lakers 40-15. Vernon netminder Sydney Carter turned aside 39 of 40 shots.
Rookie netminder Emilie Nichols back-stopped the Cougars in all three road games as veteran goalie Kelsey Roberts was out of the lineup with an upper body injury.
The Northern Cougars are supposed to host the Kootenay Wildcats this weekend at Kin 1 beginning Friday, but coach Desjardins received word on Monday the Wildcats are down to 10 players and may not ice an entire squad.
Desjardins has put in a request to postpone the three games until the new year.
