Cougars falter in the second half of their game against Erin
By Bill Rea

Thomas Fairs and Joe Digirolamo were teaming up to put pressure on the Erin net in the second period of Thursday's contest.

The Schomberg Cougars have demonstrated they can keep up with their opponents in the early stages of games. It's the later parts that are giving them trouble.

That was clearly the case Thursday when they hosted the Erin Shamrocks. The Cougars were trailing just 1- 0 after one period, and they had the match tied after a couple of minutes in the second, when Jake Whelan was beautifully set up. Schomberg surrendered another goal about five minutes later, then the wheels came off the Cougar train late in the frame, and they were never re-attached.

The final score was 7-1.

The Shamrocks' first goal was a short-handed effort, and their last goal was scored on the power play.

Erin solidly outshot the Cougars throughout the match, and for much of the third period they were controlling the puck at will in the Schomberg end.

Whelan's play was one of the few bright sports, and he was appropriately pleased to get his first junior C goal. Veteran Todd Cantelon drew an assist on the scoring play, but Whelan gave a tip of his helmet to linemate Keith Thomson, who was effectively able to decoy the defence out of the play and "give me a lot more room."

The 16-year-old Tottenham resident was playing rep hockey in the TNT system last year.

"We came hard out of the gate," he observed, adding Erin "came out harder."

He was also a little philosophic about the Shamrocks, pointing out they get to play each other five more times.

"Jake had a good game," observed Head Coach Gary Waldrum. "He stepped up and showed some of the potential we see in him."

Despite the score, the coach was impressed with the work of goalie Cory Shody, who faced 40 shots, compared to the 12 fired at his opponent at the other end of the rink.

"We know we have a lot of work to do," Waldrum remarked, adding the numerous rookies in the dressing room have not yet grasped what it takes to win at this level.

"Junior C is very underrated hockey," he observed. "It takes a while to realize the price you have to pay to compete."

Thursday's was the only game of the week for the club, and Waldrum was hoping that would give a couple of his injured men a bit more time to heal.

"Giving them a long time to think about this game might not be a bad thing," he added.

The Cougars ended the week in sixth place in the Georgian Mid-Ontario division standings with three points.

They return to action tomorrow (Thursday) night, when they host the Fergus Devils, starting at 8:15 p.m.

They will be on the road Sunday as they travel north to Stayner for an afternoon contest with the Siskins. The puck will drop at 1:30 p.m.