Tyler Povelofskie had a five-goal weekend and Jeremy Matte picked up his first B.C. Major Midget League shutout as the Cariboo Cougars swept a two-game series with the Kootenay Ice.
After suffering their first two losses of the season, the Cougars (8-2) returned to their winning ways by pounding the MML's weakest link by scores of 9-2 and 9-0 at the CN Centre. The Ice (0-10) have been outscored in 10 games 63-7.
The Cougars led 6-1 heading into the third period Saturday when Povelofskie struck for the natural hat trick to make it a 9-1 game. Ryan Neil beat Cats' goalie Nathan Warren late to finish the scoring. Povelofskie added an assist in the game.
Other goal scorers for the Cougars in the first game were, defenceman Kenny Nordstrom (two goals, two assists), Tre Potskin, Ryan Forbes and Braiden Epp with a goal and assist each and Michael Bell with a goal.
Adam Maida and Harrison Whitlock took turns in the Ice net in both games.
Four of the Cougars goals Saturday came on special teams with three on the power play and one, Povelofskie's final goal, shorthanded.
Povelofskie added two goals to his weekend output Sunday, while Liam Blackburn had a three-point night (two goals) and Epp had three helpers. Other goals came off the sticks of Kirk Hards, Brad Morrison, Forbes and Nick Headrick. The latter three all contributed an assist as well.
It was special teams doing the work for the Cougars again as they potted four power-play goals and three shorthanded markers.
The Cougars are on the road for back-to-back weekends, taking a ferry ride this weekend when they visit the Nanimo Ice Centre for a pair of games against the North Island Silvertips (4-3-1) and followed by games Nov. 3-4 in Kelowna against the Okanagan Rockets (7-1-1).
