The Victoria Cougars arenB次元官网网址檛 taking anything for granted as they head into tonightB次元官网网址檚 (Feb. 24) Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League playoff game in Colwood.
The Cougars took a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven South Division semifinal series against the Westshore Wolves on Thursday with a convincing 3-0 victory in Esquimalt.
Patrick Osterman, who made 41 saves to pick up the shutout for the Cats, gave his teammates much of the credit for the win and was already looking ahead to SaturdayB次元官网网址檚 game.
B次元官网网址淛ust because weB次元官网网址檝e had a good start doesnB次元官网网址檛 mean we can slow down,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲e have to keep pushing, keep playing our game, keep pushing the pace and worry about us, not them.B次元官网网址�
Osterman, in his first season with the Wolves, made a number of quality saves Thursday, including a point-blank stop on Marty Westhaver with about five minutes left in the third period.
Victoria once again made the most of their power play opportunities, with Mateo Albinati scoring twice with the man advantage. The Cougars are now five for 10 over the first two games, while the Wolves are zero for 10.
Matthew Sparrow scored a shorthanded empty net goal with 1:23 remaining to round out the scoring for the Cougars.
Victoria head coach Suneil Karod, who previously spoke about gaining the upper hand on the Wolves, appreciated his teamB次元官网网址檚 game 2 effort after the slow start they had to game 1.
He figured the Wolves are going to come out with an even more physical approach Saturday night.
B次元官网网址淕etting up two games on these guys is very important. TheyB次元官网网址檙e a skilled hockey club and at any time they can make you pay and they almost did,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚f it wasnB次元官网网址檛 for our goalie [in game 2] it could be a totally different story B次元官网网址� at the end of the day we havenB次元官网网址檛 really done anything yet until we get to that win number four, and weB次元官网网址檙e just focusing on number 3 at this point.B次元官网网址�
Cougars forward Matthew Berryman, who bagged the winner in overtime in WednesdayB次元官网网址檚 4-3 victory at The Q Centre, echoed the importance of not letting the early success go their heads.
B次元官网网址淓very game, theyB次元官网网址檙e not going to make it easy on us and we have to do everything we can to get another W,B次元官网网址� he said.
Added Albinati: B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been a war for the first two and I donB次元官网网址檛 expect much to change for the third one.B次元官网网址�
Game time tonight is 6 p.m. at The Q Centre, with game 4 going Sunday at 3:30 p.m. back at Archie Browning Sports Centre.
