Three shorthanded goals paced the Cobourg Cougars to a 5-0 Ontario Junior Hockey League win over the St. Michael’s Buzzers in Toronto on Thursday evening.
With the Cougars facing a 5-on-4 disadvantage after receiving a 5-minute major penalty, Kallaway Mercer scored twice shorthanded to give his club a 2-0 lead in the second period.
In the third, Parker Hendsbee tallied the third straight goal with the Cougars down a man before Mercer scored at even strength midway through the final frame to complete a hat trick.
Andy Reist rounded out the Cobourg scoring with 11 seconds remaining.
Goaltender Justin Easter made 32 saves to earn the shutout against the Buzzers (28-16-1-2).
The win was the third straight for the Cougars (24-16-1-4), which now have collected points in 10 consecutive games.
“We had a long stretch off at Christmas and it changed a lot of guys’ mindsets,” said Cougars captain Tucker Firth, referring to the January shutdown due to provincial government restrictions. “You never know when it’s going to be the last.
“Our guys have really bought into their roles and understand what it takes to win as a team. From our coaches to our management, team-wise, player-wise, everyone’s just bought into the fact that we have a very special team and a good chance to do something amazing here.”
Firth said the point streak is “something that we cherish, but we’re not taking lightly” or for granted.
“We’re still going hard, we still have hunger in our eyes,” he added, noting the club has more tough games upcoming in their schedule.
The Cougars head back to Toronto again Sunday night to face the South Division-leading Jr. Canadiens (34-11-1-0).
They return home Monday evening to take on the Wellington Dukes (26-12-0-5). Game time is 7 p.m. at the Cobourg Community Centre.
