Statistically, it's a mismatch.
The Bursey Buryn Cougars aren't worried about stats.
Today and Sunday at Kin 1, the Cougars will skate against the Thompson-Okanagan Rockets in B.C. Hockey Female Midget AAA League games. The Rockets (19-3-1) enter the doubleheader in first-place in the five-team league, while the Cats (3-20-3) are at the bottom of the standings. But, the Cougars are confident they can pull off an upset or two.
"We've been working a lot on our defensive zone coverage and our systems the last three or four weeks so if we play a good structured defensive system against this team and capitalize on our chances we're going to be OK," said Cougars head coach Jason Garneau, whose club will be on the ice today at 7:15 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m. "Chances are, we're going to get outshot but if we can play a good defensive game and limit their scoring opportunities -- make them shoot from the outside -- then we just need to score on our opportunities in order for us to be successful."
So far this season, the Cats are 0-5 against the Rockets, losing by scores of 4-2, 5-3, 4-1, 4-1 and 6-1.
For the Cats, these games will be the final ones of the regular schedule. They will also be the last minor hockey contests for graduating goaltender Megan Spooner. Garneau plans to give Spooner both starts and said he thinks the other players will rally around her.
"Megan is arguably the best goalie in the league so whenever she's in the net and our team's ready to go, we can beat anybody in the league," Garneau said.
The two leading scorers for the 15- to 17-year-old Cougars are Robyn Murphy of Fort St. John and Taya Garneau of Prince George. Murphy has 12 goals and 23 points in 26 games, while Taya Garneau has five goals and 20 points in 22 games.
Unfortunately, both players have been dealing with injuries lately. Murphy has managed to play through a knee problem, while Taya Garneau has been sidelined ever since she was hit from behind during Feb. 5-6 games in Nelson against the Kootenay Wildcats. In the incident, she suffered a lower back injury and a concussion. But, she will try to get back on her blades for this season-ending series.
All five teams -- the Rockets, Fraser Valley Phantom, Vancouver Fusion, Wildcats and Cougars -- will qualify for playoffs. In the opening round, the Cats will take on the fourth-place finisher, which will either be the Wildcats or the Fusion. The following weekend, the winner will meet the first-place club in one semifinal, while the second- and third-place teams will clash in the other semi.
