Cougars drop two pre-season matches to Fergus
By Bill Rea

The Cougars' coaching staff of Gary Waldrum, Ken Hamilton and Sandy Bell were watching their men in action Thursday night.

The pre-season is supposed to be a time for ironing out kinks on a team, so only limited significance can be placed on two decisive losses last week to the Fergus Devils.

The Cougars dropped a 94 decision to the Devils at

home Thursday, then fell 9-5 the following night in Fergus.

"It's still early," commented Head Coach Gary

Waldrum after Thursday's contest, pointing out his men had not had time yet to practice their power-play. Although two of the

Cougar goals came with a man advantage, they surrendered two short-handed markers.

Veteran Joe Digirolamo agreed they need to pay attention to penalty killing and the power play. "We need to work on some stuff,' he said.

They also have a number of new members to work into the line-up. "We'll have a fairly high turnover, when all is said and done," he said.

Waldrum said about eight veterans from last year's squad are returning, meaning there will be at least a dozen new faces in the dressing room.

Cougar Brady Sluman was advancing on the Fergus net midway through the first period of Thursday's contest in Schomberg.

"It takes some time, but it will come along," he remarked.

Waldrum added the club could use some more local support, both in staffing and in the stands.

There have been rule changes to cut down on the stick work of players. Basically, a player with his stick above his waist while he's delivering a check will be rewarded with a trip to the penalty box. "this year will be pretty interesting with the rule changes," he observed, adding the play should speed up once everyone adjusts.

In terms of point production over the series, veteran John DeRosa led the way with two goals and three assists, followed by Thomas Faris with three goals and one assist, Mike Shuryn with three assists and Jacob Whelan with a goal and assist. David Munshaw, Julian Caringi and Blake Elliot each bagged single markers over the two games and Todd Cantelon, Jamie Alton and Mitch Ronan drew one assist apiece.

The Cougars start their regular season at home tomorrow (Thursday) night, when they host Alliston Hornets, at 8:15 p.m.

The rest of the home schedule for the season sees the side hosting the Stayner Siskins Sept. 28, Erin Shamrocks Oct. 5, Fergus Oct. 12, Midland Flyers Oct. 19, Penetang Kings Oct. 26, Alliston Nov. 9, Midland Nov. 16, Erin Nov. 23, Fergus Nov. 30, Penetang Dec. 7, Alliston Dec. 9, Stayner Dec. 14, Alliston

Dec. 21, Fergus Dec. 28, Midland Jan. 4, Stayner Jan. 6, Penetang Jan. 11, Erin Jan. 18, Penetang Feb 1 and Erin Feb. 3.

The road schedule will see the Cougars in Alliston Friday night, in Midland Sept. 29, in Stayner Oct. 15, in Midland Oct. 27, in Stayner Nov. 2, in Fergus Nov. 3, in Midland Nov. 19, in Erin Nov. 25, in Stayner Nov. 26, in Alliston Dec. 1, in Penetang Dec. 15, in Penetang Dec. 23, in Fergus Dec. 29, in Erin Dec. 30, in Fergus Jan. 7, in Penetang Jan. 12, in Alliston Jan. 14, in Fergus Jan. 19, in Stayner Jan. 25, in Midland Jan. 26 and in Erin Jan. 27.