The Cariboo Cougars knew the task at hand, and they completed it successfully.
The U18 Cougars took on the South Island Royals in a BC Elite Hockey League doubleheader at CN Centre and won both games against their weaker opponent. The Cats prevailed 7-3 on Saturday and 4-1 on Sunday. In the process, they boosted their record to 13-11-1-3 and sent the Royals home with a mark of 8-18-0-2.
In Saturday’s game, Joshua Sale put the Cougars ahead 4-3 with a power-play marker in the opening minutes of the third period and the Cats then iced the contest with goals by Max Sanford, Keenan Holland and Decker Mujcin.
Sanford and Holland finished with two goals each. Chase Pacheco also scored for the Cougars, who got winning goaltending from Tysen Smith.
On Sunday, the Cougars were leading the Royals 2-1 half way through the third period when Pacheco struck shorthanded to give them some breathing room. Cariboo forward Marik Mamic hit an empty net in the final 10 seconds to produce the final score.
Pacheco had two goals in the game, while Mujcin also scored for the Cougars. In the nets, Smith was once again victorious.
The Cougars sit fifth in the 10-team division and the Royals are ninth.
The Cougars are scheduled to host the second-place Greater Vancouver Canadians (20-8-1-1) this coming weekend. Games are set for Saturday and Sunday at Kin 1, at 4:30 p.m. and 10:30 a.m. respectively.
