The Cariboo Cougars filled the net against the Vancouver Northeast Chiefs.
During a weekend doubleheader in the B.C. Hockey Minor Midget League, the Cougars scored 16 goals and picked up a pair of victories in the process. The Cats beat the Chiefs 9-7 on Sunday, after a 7-3 triumph on Saturday. Both games were played in Coquitlam.
In Sunday’s goalfest, the Cougars led 5-3 heading into the third period. In those final 20 minutes, each team scored four times and the Cats had their two-goal margin of victory. The Cougars trailed 7-6 with 3:19 left to play but goals by Max Sanford and Decker Mujcin put them back in front and then Amar Powar iced the game with an empty-netter.
Offensively, Scott Cousins led the Cougars with two goals and four assists. Dawson Davis, Brett Barwise, Brady McIsaac and Tye Peters also found the back of the Vancouver Northeast net.
Tomis Marinkovic and Aidan Wildeman each had a pair of goals for the Chiefs. Derek Leroux, Matteo Pero and Chase Harron also scored for the hosts.
Jasper Tait was the winning goaltender, while Emmett Dixon took the loss.
Saturday’s game was a tight one until the Cougars blew it open with five goals in the third period. Cousins had two goals and an assist in the win, as did Linden Makow. Miguel Marques, Barwise and Pryce Peats also scored for the Cats. Marinkovic (2) and Pero responded for the Chiefs. Tysen Smith (Cougars) and Josh Henson (Chiefs) were the goaltenders of record.
Marinkovic and Cousins are currently first and second in the league scoring race. Each has 32 points, Marinkovic on 18 goals and 14 assists and Cousins on 14 goals and 18 assists. Marinkovic has played 14 games and Cousins has been on the ice for 12.
The Cougars elevated their record to 11-3-0-0, the same mark as the Okanagan Rockets at the top of the standings. The Rockets, based on a pair of wins against the Cougars on the opening weekend of the season, are in first place.
The Chiefs slipped to 6-8-0-0 and are in sixth place in the nine-team league. The Cougars will visit the Vancouver Northwest Hawks next weekend.