GAME #8 PREVIEW: OLD FOES REIGNITE RIVALRY ON PURPLE IN THE RINK NIGHT
Photo Courtesy: OJHL Images
The Trenton Golden Hawks and Cobourg Cougars East Division rivalry was at an all-time high last season, with both teams in the national spotlight.
The two teams played nine games total in 2016-17, including four postseason games and one in the RBC Cup National Championship. Trenton pulled off a four-game sweep in the Northeast Conference Final over the Cougars and Cobourg exacted some revenge by upending the G-Hawks over a month later in the first game of the RBC on home ice.
This season, the two teams look drastically different, with the G-Hawks returning six players and getting a brand new coaching staff and the Cougars getting back only four regulars, losing several key players such as Ryan Casselman, Brennan Roy, Brenden Locke and Stefano Durante.
Both groups are coming off victories earlier this week. Trenton found their offence in a big way on Tuesday in Lindsay, hooking the fish by a 7-4 score, while Cobourg edged the North York Rangers 3-2 in overtime.
The G-Hawks will try and take advantage of a missing piece to Cobourg's unit, goaltender Brayden Lachance, who is injured and it's looking unlikely that he will be in the lineup tonight.
It might be different looking lineups hitting the ice tonight, but rest assured, both teams will be engaging in a fierce battle tonight.
The Golden Hawks will be taking to the ice in purple jerseys for "Purple in the Rink" night in support of The Children's Foundation and for child abuse awareness. Puck drop is 8 p.m.
Team Records
Cougars- 2-4-0-1, (5 points, 4th in East Division), 1-3 on road
Golden Hawks- 3-3-1-0, (7 points, 2nd in East Division), 2-1 at home
Top Scorers
Cougars- Carson Gallagher (2-2-4), Connor MacEachern (2-1-3), George Miranda (1-2-3)
Golden Hawks- Mac Lewis (7-2-9), Rex Moe (6-1-7), Michael Silveri (1-6-7), Brandon Marinelli (0-7-7)
Cougars Player to Watch
#16 George Miranda
One of four returnees for the Cougars, the Whitby, Ont. native split time between the OJHL club and the Port Hope Panthers Jr. C team. Miranda has three points so far this season and is expected to be a big part of Cobourg's offence moving forward.
Golden Hawks Player to Watch
#94 Cal Walker
The Welland, Ont. native posted three assists and got in a late scuffle in his best game in a Trenton uniform Tuesday night in Lindsay. Walker will be expected to take a bigger role on the G-Hawks blueline this season.
Point of Interest
The Golden Hawks and Cougars became the first two OJHL teams to ever play each other at the National Championship last season.
