Cougars finally get a point, but endure two more tough losses
By Bill Rea

Dan Naccaratto was fighting for a rebound by the Midland net Thursday night.

It started off as a very promising week for the Schomberg Cougars, but they were unable to make the momentum last.

The local junior C heroes were minutes away from their first win of the season Thursday night against the visiting Midland Flyers, but they were happy to settle for a tie and see some points notched for them in the league standings.

Things were looking pretty good Saturday night too, as the guys were leading the Stayner Siskins 5-4 late in the second period in Stayner. The home side tied things late in the frame, then popped in four unanswered goals in the third to seal the win.

It was an even rougher evening for the side Sunday, as they were in Penetang for a match with the Kings, and it resulted in another loss; this time to the tune of 9-2.

Thursday's game saw both teams notch one goal apiece per period, with Schomberg finally taking the lead with about six minutes gone in the final frame, but they weren't able to hold it.

Dan Naccaratto was on hand with his scoring punch again, getting two of the Cougars' goals, both on the power play. Ryan Christadler collected the other marker. Chris Gard, Eddie Wiederer, Justin Brooks, Brandon Lisi and Shane Jones each notched assists.

And for once, the Cougars were ahead when it came to shots of goal, to the tune of 42-41.

"We were skating, and shooting the puck more," Gard remarked after the game. "We're starting to play a lot better. We're getting to know each other a lot more."

"Every game's a step forward," Wiederer added. "We're getting closer and closer."

"It was a good game," Head Coach Gary Waldrum announced after the match. "You can't complain over that."

"I think we had better scoring chances overall," he added.

Although they had only earned one point thus far, the coach was still pleased with the progress being made. He said the team had been practising power-play situation and breaking out of their own end, and there were signs of success. He said it makes him proud when what the players have been working on shows up on the ice.

"You can only do a little bit at a time," he remarked.

Saturday saw the Cougars build a 4-1 lead in Stayner in the first period, but the Siskins were able to tie it in the second and put the game away in the third.

Wiederer scored two of the goals, with singles coming from Jason McMann, Mike Volpe and Naccaratto, Gard and Naccaratto each got a pair of assisssists, while one each was notched by Jones, Brooks, McMann and Brandon Binns.

Two of the Cougars' goals Saturday came on the power play, and that was the case for both of their markers Sunday in Penetang. Naccaratto and Wiederer were the marksmen in this outing, with Gard collecting two more assists and Jones adding a single.

The Cougars have just one game this week, but it's going to be a tall order. They will be hosting the Kings from Penetang tomorrow (Thursday) night, starting at 8:15 p.m.