For the second-straight contest, the U16 Prep and U17 Prep Cougars put together a close and hard-fought showing at Barkman Arena on Saturday night, with the U17s holding on for a 4-3 victory. One night earlier, it was a 5-3 win for the older squad, including an empty-net goal.
The U17 Cougars got off to a solid start in the rematch, as Josh Prebushewski and Carter Price scored in the first period to give their squad a 2-0 lead.
Much like the night before, though, the U16s wouldn’t go down without a fight -- Brock Stewart and Jacob Booth would score 50 seconds apart midway through the second to tie the game 2-2.
That was where the score stood until 1:39 remained in the period, when Brennan Blatz scored on the power play to give the U17s a 3-2 edge.
Drew Molde then extended that lead to 4-2 5:43 into the third, but Matthew Healey pulled the U16s back within one with 2:42 to play, setting up another tense finish.
Davis Hunter and Brennan Watterson each had two assists for the U17s.
Justin Dueck turned aside 28 shots to earn the win, Michael Malinowski had a 40 save showing for the U16s.
The U17 Cougars improved to 3-0 on the Sask AA Hockey League U18 season with the win, the U16s fell to 1-3.
