Express_2016_02_03

SPORTS

A rough go for the Vankleek Hill Cougars

DIANE HUNTER diane.hunter@eap.on.ca

in general,” he added. “I like to see players learn and grow not just as players but as young adults. I try to instill in thema sense of pride, responsibility and ownership for their actions. I always want the players to learn to care about each other and put all differences aside and work together for a common goal and for what’s best for the team.” Berniqué played hockey for many years including the Cougars’ inaugural season. “I played minor hockey in Vankleek Hill. I also played AA hockey starting in Bantam,” explained Berniqué. “I played Junior B in Alexandria for two seasons and several games in Junior A for the Hawks. Subsequently I played Junior C for Casselman, when they had a team. After that I played with the Cougars in their inaugural season and my final junior season. In the inaugural season the Cougars won the League Championship.” The Cougars have players between the ages of 17 and 20 that come from Ontario and Quebec. They are allowed to have one player aged 16, and four players 21 years of age. Some of the players are in school, and others are working. Steve Barton played for the Cougars when the teamwas first formed. He is now an NHL Linesman. The Cougars will be celebrating their 25 th anniversary next season, and will be hosting their annual golf tournament at the HawkesburyGolf andCurlingClub onMay 28.

The season started offwell for the Cougars. The new year, however, hasn’t been that great with only three wins out of eight games so far. “The Cougars are doing as well as can be expected. We started off the year very strong and even were in first place for a while,” said head coach Marc Berniqué. “We are currently going through a rough patch with many injuries, players quitting and players with other commitments. We are looking at turning things around in the next fewweeks and should be ready for the playoffs.” Since the beginning of the season, the Cougars have won just about half of the games played. Their latest win was against the Cumberland Bandits on January 30 with a score of 7-4. The Cougars are currently standing in third with a total of 30 points. Berniqué has been coaching the Cougars for several years. “I started coaching the Cougars in 2011-12 and then left for one year (2012-13) to be an assistant coach with Alexandria Glens (junior B). I returned to the Cougars in 2013-14 and have been here since.” As a coach, Berniqué enjoys watching the players grow and learn. “I enjoy coaching

Cougars win and lose over the weekend The VankleekHill Cougars spend quite a fewhours on the ice practicing and preparing for games. This year has been a bit rough for themas a few players have been out with injuries and other commitments. –Diane Hunter

GDHS Gaels take the Upper Canada Cup

The Vankleek Hill Cougars beat the Cumberland Bandits 7 to 4 on Saturday night. - Diane Hunter

DIANE HUNTER diane.hunter@eap.on.ca

Things turned around for the Cougars Saturday night as they won against the Cumberland Bandits 7-4. With #33 SamMills in the net, the Cougars played a hard game. Their first goal of the night went to Francis Chartrand, assisted by Graem Murray and Hugo Blanchard in the first period. Tyler Dopelhamer scored unassisted at 11:12. In the second period a power play goal went to Tyler Dopelhamer assisted by Jean- LucTheoret. Tyler Druce scored the Cougars’ fourth goal of the evening assisted by Riley Sauve and Charlie McKeown. The Cougars wrapped things up nicely in the third period with Charlie McKeown scoring with assists by Tyler Druce and Riley Sauvé. At 4:22, Tyler Druce did it again assisted by Anaïck Besner and Riley Sauvé. The last goal of the night at 2:49 was by Tyler Druce assisted by Riley Sauvé and Charlie McKeown. The Cougars’ next game will be held on Saturday, February 6, against the Cumberland Bandits at the Ray Friel Recreation Complex on Tenth Line Road in Ottawa.

The Vankleek Hill Cougars had a busy weekend losing to the Embrun Panthers on Friday, and winning against the Cumberland Bandits on Saturday. The Cougars played a tough game January 29 against the Embrun Panthers at the Embrun arena losing 19-2. With only eight players on the ice, leaving just three for back up, the Cougars were left a little shorthanded compared to the Panthers with 15 players. SamMcGillis and Cedric Pilon scored the only two goals of the evening with assists fromFrancis Chartrand, SamMcGillis, and two by Riley Sauvé. The Panthers scored eight goals in the first period, four in the second, and seven in the third. The Cougars’ two goals were in the third period. Head Coach for the Cougars, Marc Berniqué, said the teamhas been struggling due to some players leaving, some with injuries, and some with other commitments, however he said they will be playing harder than ever to get back on top.

Members of the Glengarry District High School Gaels intermediate boys’ volleyball team pose Wednesday with their championship banner. The Gaels defeated Rideau District High School to take the Upper Canada Cup Intermediate Boys’ Volleyball Championship. Photo supplied

The Glengarry District High School (GDHS) Gaels took home the victor’s bannerWednes- day, January 20, at the 2016 Upper Canada Cup Intermediate Boys’ Volleyball Cham- pionship, held at Tagwi Secondary School. The Gaels won the final over RideauDistrict High School (RDHS) in three sets, taking the first 25-16, dropping the second to RDHS 25- 22, then capping off the championship with a 15-7 victory in the third. Convener Tammy MacSweyn said quality play by both teams meant that victory could have gone to either team. “It was a really solid final,” saidMacSweyn.

“There was some good spiking, impressive serving and good communication on both sides. Both teams played really well.” “Rideau had a couple of unfortunate net violations and that might have played the biggest difference in the end.” In the semi-finals, RDHS defeated the Brockville Collegiate Institute (BCI) Red Rams to advance to the final, while GDHS upset Seaway District High School (SDHS). BCI went on to take the consolation final against SDHS. The Red Rams lost the first game 25-23, but then rallied to take the next two sets, 25-14 and 15-10.

Made with FlippingBook HTML5