The Cariboo Cougars settled for a weekend split with the North Island Silvertips.
In the U18 division of the BC Elite Hockey League, the Cougars defeated the Silvertips 6-2 on Saturday but lost 5-3 on Sunday. Both games were played at Kin 1.
On Sunday, the teams went into the third period tied 3-3 but two goals by North Island’s Brody Simpson – one early in the period and one late – proved the difference in the contest.
James Banks and Mason Windsor of the Silvertips, and Zachary Leslie and Keenan Holland of the Cougars, exchanged goals in the first period. Cody Black gave the visitors a 3-2 lead in the second and Joshua Sale got the Cougars back on even terms before the end of the middle frame.
The Cougars outshot the Silvertips 36-28.
Felix Plendl was the winning goaltender and Damien Knackstedt took the loss.
In Saturday’s win, the Cougars jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first 40 minutes and coasted to the victory. Holland led the way with two goals and an assist while Chase Pacheco, Carter Hesselgrave, Max Sanford and Decker Mujcin also scored for the Cats. Pacheco and Hesselgrave also chipped in with a pair of assists each, and Leslie had three helpers.
Evan Mayer and Nathan Hayes scored for the Silvertips.
The Cougars outshot the Silvertips 35-20.
Tysen Smith was in net for the win and Plendl was on the losing end.
The fifth-place Cougars now have a 15-15-1-3 record, while the ninth-place Silvertips sit at 8-19-2-5.
The Cougars will wrap up their regular season this coming weekend in Abbotsford with a doubleheader against the second-place Vancouver Northwest Hawks (24-8-1-1).