DECATUR, IL - The Chicago Cougars Elite squad traveled to Decatur this weekend for a back-to-back series against their division rivals, the Decatur Blaze. It was a tale of two wildly different games, showcasing the highs and lows of junior hockey. Game 1 saw the Cougars deliver a masterclass in offensive dominance, while Game 2 proved to be a gritty, penalty-filled affair that ended in a narrow Blaze victory. Here’s the full breakdown of the weekend's action.
Game 1: Chicago Cougars Maul Blaze in Decisive 9-1 Victory
Saturday night’s contest was nothing short of a barnburner – at least for the Cougars. From the opening puck drop, the Cougars made it clear that they came to play. Gianni Annicchiarico set the tone just 4:27 into the game, rifling a shot past Decatur’s starter Charles Landers. That early tally was only the beginning of a relentless Chicago onslaught. By the end of the first period, the Cougars had potted four goals on 18 shots, leaving the Blaze gasping for air.
Jakub Potoczny and Leonidas Cintron each found twine in the opening frame, and Caleb Schulz capped off the period with a buzzer-beater. Schulz’s goal, set up by Joseph Rodriguez and Matthew Corvo, epitomized the Cougars' opportunistic offense.
In the second period, the Blaze momentarily showed signs of life when Davin Hynek netted their lone goal on a pass from Alan Faulkner Jr. But that glimmer of hope was extinguished as Chicago erupted for another four goals. Timothy Boyd, Joseph Rodriguez, and Potoczny each added to their point totals, with Boyd’s snipe being a particular highlight. Jeffrey Schroeder and Anthony Boston orchestrated the play with precision, feeding Boyd for the finish.
Despite a five-minute major assessed to Cameron Twadell for contact to the head, the Cougars’ penalty kill unit stood tall. Goaltender Andrew DiSilvestro faced minimal pressure, stopping 14 of 15 shots as Decatur struggled to generate meaningful offense.
By the third period, the game was well out of reach. Annicchiarico added his second goal of the night on a feed from Kennelly Clinton, who quietly amassed three assists. Chicago’s 9-1 victory was a statement game, showing the full depth and firepower of their roster.
Game 2: Blaze Respond with a Hard-Fought 3-2 Win
Sunday’s game was a complete reversal of fortunes. The Blaze, seemingly embarrassed by the previous night’s drubbing, came out with a chip on their shoulder. The game was a gritty, penalty-ridden affair with both teams combining for 14 infractions.
The Cougars struck first, with Caleb Schulz continuing his strong weekend. A power-play marker six minutes into the opening frame gave Chicago a 1-0 lead, and it looked like they might run away with another one. However, the Blaze settled into their defensive structure, backstopped by an exceptional performance from goaltender Giovanni Bottalico, who turned aside 46 of 48 shots.
Decatur found their legs in the second period. Cody Dorsett capitalized on a defensive lapse to tie the game, and with just 32 seconds remaining in the frame, Ryan Buchholtz buried a power-play goal to give Decatur their first lead of the series.
The Cougars clawed back early in the third. Schulz, once again, found the back of the net, this time off a setup from Cameron Twadell and Kyle LaMantia. But the momentum was short-lived. Midway through the period, Dorsett struck again, tipping in a shot from Coby Johnson for what proved to be the game-winner.
Despite a late push, including a frantic 6-on-5 sequence in the final minute, the Cougars couldn’t solve Bottalico again. Kole Wendt was solid in net for Chicago, stopping 21 of 24 shots, but the Cougars’ inability to capitalize on late-game opportunities sealed their fate.
Key Takeaways
1. Cougars’ Offensive Depth is Their Strength
In Game 1, the Cougars displayed incredible depth, with contributions from all four lines. Annicchiarico, Schulz, and Potoczny led the way along with fellow Cougars like Timothy Boyd and Leonidas Cintron getting in on the action.
2. Discipline Matters
The Cougars' penalty troubles in Game 2 highlighted an area for improvement. Costly infractions allowed the Blaze to stay in the game and eventually secure the win. Head Coach Anthony Rohde will likely emphasize discipline as the team prepares for upcoming matchups.
3. Goaltending Battle
Andrew DiSilvestro and Kole Wendt had solid outings, but the star of the weekend was Decatur’s Bottalico. His performance in Game 2 was the difference-maker, stealing a win for the Blaze.
Final Thoughts
The Cougars leave Decatur with a 1-1 split, maintaining their spot in the division standings but showing room for growth. Saturday’s dominant victory showcased their potential to overwhelm opponents with skill and speed, while Sunday’s loss served as a reminder of the importance of discipline and execution in tight games. If they can replicate their offensive dominance from Game 1 while cleaning up their play, they’ll be a tough team to beat.
Catch all the Chicago Cougars action live on FloHockey.tv!
コメント