Aigles leapfrog Cougars into third place

The Vankleek Hill Cougars traveled to St-Isidore on Sunday, February 13 for another chapter in what has become a heated rivalry between two teams.

Both are fighting for a playoff birth in the National Capital Junior Hockey League (NCJHL).

With only a single point separating the two teams in the season standings and the playoffs lurking in the near future, both teams fully understood the importance of bringing home a victory.

The first 20 minutes showcased the offensive skills of both teams, with each side notching three goals. The play in the second period seemed to take on a more defensive role, though both teams each notched a single goal.

Early in the third period, St-Isidore would send the hometown fans into a frenzy after they found the back of the Cougars net and took a 5-4 lead.

Not to be outdone, the feisty Cougars fought hard and once again evened the score with 14 minutes left in the game.

Both coaches could be heard emphasizing the importance of solid defense in the final moments of the game, hoping to secure at least a single point and test their luck in overtime.

With just under two minutes left in the game, a St-Isidore forward fired a shot from long range on the Cougars goaltender, who mishandled the puck and offered up an uncharacteristic rebound. The puck found its way onto the stick of an Aigles forward, who quickly shoveled it into the back of the net with 1:50 left on the clock.

The Vankleek Hill coaching staff called a time-out, pulled their goaltender, and added an extra attacker. Their effort would prove fruitless, however, as St-Isidore found the empty net with mere seconds left, securing the victory and leapfrogging the Cougars into third place in the East Division standings.

Vankleek Hill's next home game will be played on Saturday, February 26 at 7:30 p.m. against the league-leading Embrun Panthers.

St-Isidore's last game before the all-star break will take place on Friday, February 18 in Gatineau against the Express.