A hot start by the Cobourg Cougars fizzled out in Game 2 of their Ontario Junior Hockey League playoff series against the Trenton Golden Hawks with a 7-5 loss on Monday night.
The Cougars scored four times unanswered within the first 11 minutes of the contest in front of an announced crowd of 910 at the Cobourg Community Centre.
Trenton responded by scoring seven straight goals, including two by the end of the opening frame and the only four of the second period before the two sides traded third-period markers.
Kallaway Mercer, with two goals for the second straight game, George Krotiris and Andy Reist scored in the first period for the Cougars and teammate Connor Prestwich added one more with just four seconds remaining in the third.
Matt Cato led the Golden Hawks with a hat trick and Jeriah Shantz scored twice. There were no power-play goals in the contest, but Trenton’s third goal was tallied shorthanded by Sam Williamson.
Goaltender Ethan Fraser earned the win in net for the Golden Hawks, stopping 13 of 15 shots in relief of Ben Bonisteel who was replaced after allowing four goals on seven shots.
Matthew Sbrocca made 34 saves in a losing cause for the Cougars.
The Golden Hawks now lead the best-of-seven series 2-0. Game 3 is scheduled for Wednesday night in Trenton at 7:30 p.m. before the series shifts back to Cobourg for Game 4 on Friday night at 8 p.m. at the CCC.
