The Saanich Braves ended the Victoria CougarsB次元官网网址� year long point streak on Thursday (Nov. 22).
The 3-1 win also stopped the Cougars current 16-game winning streak and was the first regulation time loss by the reigning Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League champs dating back to Dec. 3, 2011.
B次元官网网址淪aanich outworked us and were hungry to do things we werenB次元官网网址檛 prepared to do,B次元官网网址� said Cougars coach Mark Van Helvoirt.
The crossed Tillicum Road Bridge back to SaanichB次元官网网址檚 George Pearkes Recreation centre for Friday night, where the Cougars struck back with a 2-1 win in a shootout.
B次元官网网址淔riday we played a better team game, we were blocking shots, chipped pucks out, and didnB次元官网网址檛 get frustrated,B次元官网网址� Van Helvoirt said.
The two-game set between the leagueB次元官网网址檚 first-place Cougars and
second-place Braves was also a possible preview of the 2013 VIJHL final.
Braves captain Ty Jones sniped the game winner on Thursday in the second period and added an empty net goal in the final minute as the Braves won 3-1 at Archie Browning Sports Centre in Esquimalt.
To earn three out of four points against the Cougars (23-1-0-1) is a solid take for the Braves (17-4-0-1).
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 huge for our confidence,B次元官网网址� Braves coach Cook said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e happy that weB次元官网网址檝e performed well. Quite frankly, our first two games (against the Cougars last month) we performed well too, this time we were able to get a result. Obviously (Friday was) disappointing.B次元官网网址�
The challenge now for the Braves is to carry on in the same manner when they visit the Peninsula Panthers (15-9-0-2) at Panorama arena on Thursday and host the Campbell River Storm (5-18-0-2) at Pearkes on Friday.
B次元官网网址淥ur preparation was outstanding from players and staff, no question,B次元官网网址� Cook said. B次元官网网址淲e canB次元官网网址檛 be that excited about just one team, we need to bring that killer instinct every game so itB次元官网网址檚 just normal when we get to playoffs.B次元官网网址�
Goalie Tanner McGaw was solid for the Braves on Thursday, stopping 33 of 34 shots, especially during a series of Braves penalties in the second period. McGaw was great again on Friday, making 34 saves on 35 shots.
B次元官网网址淲hat I really liked was that (McGaw) didnB次元官网网址檛 have to stand on his head, nor did (Ty Jones) have to score five points,B次元官网网址� Cook said. B次元官网网址淲e were good all around, and (McGaw) made saves he was supposed to.B次元官网网址�
ThursdayB次元官网网址檚 game took a major shift when, with the Cougars up 1-0 on a goal by Dane Feeney, Braves forward Sam Johnson scored shorthanded on a breakaway. Johnson slid the puck through Evan Roch, B次元官网网址渁 massiveB次元官网网址� lift to the BravesB次元官网网址� morale. A few minutes later Jones scored at five-on-five to make it 2-1.
Jones was the first to score on Friday, with eight minutes left in the first period. Ben Kinshella tied it 1-1 for the Cougars in the last minute on the rebound of a Brody Coulter shot. Cougars forward Garrett Brandsma scored the only goal of the shootout.
The Cougars visit the Westshore Wolves, 7:30 p.m. tonight at Bear Mountain Arena, and host Kerry Park Islanders, 7 p.m. tomorrow.
sports@vicnews.com
