News

Despite a physical effort in Monday’s Family Day game, the Burlington Cougars came up short against the St. Michael’s Buzzers by a score of 3-0 and were eliminated from playoff contention in the process.

Burlington set the tone early playing a physical brand of hockey in the first period, but fell behind in the latter stages of the frame. Buzzers captain Cameron Searles broke the scoreless tie with his 16th goal of the season to give St. Michael’s the lead heading to the first intermission.

The teams traded chances in the second period and while the Cougars found themselves on the wrong side of a number of powerplays, were unscathed by their undisciplined play as the score remained 1-0 for the Buzzers heading to the third period.

With their season on the line the Cougars came out flat in the final frame, surrendering an insurance marker just 8 seconds in, this time with Buzzers Jonah Alexander finding the back of the net. Burlington would continue its penalty trouble throughout the period, unable to establish much offensive momentum. Alexander would then ice the game with an empty netter with less than two minutes to play.

Once again, Burlington goaltender Justin Richer looked strong in the crease turning aside 31 of 33 shots in the losing effort.

The Cougars now have just three games remaining in the 2017-18 season, beginning with a Wednesday matinee matchup against the Georgetown Raiders. Puck drop will be at 2:00pm from Appleby Ice Centre.

- Article by Pat Shields