Cobourg Cougars Drop Dukes to Continue Strong Play
Jeff Gard/Today’s Northumberland
After tallying eight goals during a road win Saturday in Aurora, the Cobourg Cougars netted nine more Monday night, defeating the Wellington Dukes 9-4 in Ontario Junior Hockey League action at the Cobourg Community Centre.
Brant Romaniuk led the offensive charge with a hat trick and an assist, while Chase Del Colombo contributed two goals and an assist as the Cougars improved to 10-3-1-0 on the season.
Cobourg never trailed in the contest, although Wellington kept pace through the opening 20 minutes, with the teams heading into the first intermission tied 2-2.
The Cougars took control in the second period, scoring four unanswered goals over a 16-minute stretch to build a commanding lead before the Dukes added a late goal during that middle frame.
Cobourg continued to pull away, notching three of the four third-period goals in the contest in front of an announced attendance of 525 at the CCC.
Along with Romaniuk and Del Colombo, Jonny Brooks, Briir Long, Isaac Tracze and Garrett Jones also scored for Cobourg.
Goaltender Carter Nadon turned aside 27 shots to earn the win.
For Wellington, Landon Marleau continued his strong start to the season, scoring his 16th goal in 17 games. Marleau, the son of retired NHL player Patrick Marleau, scored 22 goals in 40 games last season.
The victory strengthened Cobourg’s position in the OJHL’s East Conference standings.
The Cougars sit third with 21 points, seven behind first-place Markham and just one point back of Wellington.
Cobourg, however, has three games in hand on both the Royals and Dukes.
The Cougars now head out on the road for three games, with stops against the Newmarket Hurricanes, St. Michael’s Buzzers and Markham Royals.
Cobourg returns to home ice on Monday, Nov. 2, with puck drop scheduled for 7 p.m. at the CCC.
