Romeoville, Ill.- In a barnburner at Canlan Ice Arena in Romeoville, the Chicago Cougars Elite squad clawed their way to a 4-3 victory over their crosstown rivals, the Chicago Crush, with a buzzer-beating tally that brought the house down. This Friday night tilt had all the makings of a classic, with the Cougars showing they've got the horses to go the distance this season.
The Cougars drew first blood early in the opening frame when Zachary Halling lit the lamp at 4:19, with Lucas Epperson notching the apple. Despite spending some time in the sin bin, including a pair of two-minute minors to the gritty Gianni Annicchiarico, the Cougars' PK unit stood tall, keeping the Crush off the board.
The middle stanza saw the Cougars extend their lead when Griffin Delfosse went bar down at 6:28, with Jack Schejbal earning the helper. But the Crush wouldn't go quietly, potting a pair to knot things up. Not to be outdone, the Cougars answered back when Kennelly Clinton buried his first of the season, sending the boys to the room up 3-2 after forty minutes.
The final frame was a white-knuckle affair, with the Crush finding the equalizer midway through. But just when it looked like we were headed for bonus hockey, Caleb Lind played the hero. With the clock showing zeroes, Lind found twine off a beautiful feed from Delfosse and Schejbal, sending the Cougars' bench into a frenzy.
Between the pipes, Kole Wendt stood on his head, kicking out 25 of 28 shots and giving his team a chance to pull out the W. The Cougars' special teams were on point, with the PK unit successfully killing off four of five penalties, keeping the Crush's power play at bay for most of the night.
This gutsy road win improves the Cougars' record to a sizzling 6-1-0-0, cementing their spot atop the division standings. The team's ability to dig deep and pull out a victory in the dying seconds shows they've got the mental toughness to go far this season.
As the final horn sounded and the Cougars poured onto the ice to mob their hero Lind, it was clear this wasn't just another two points in the standings. This was a statement win, letting the rest of the league know that when it comes to crunch time, the Chicago Cougars Elite have the moxie to get it done.
With momentum on their side and chemistry building with each shift, these Cougars are proving they're not just another flash in the pan. They're here to stay, and they've got their sights set on making some serious noise in the USPHL this season.
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