TOLEDO, OH. - The Chicago Cougars Premier unit hit the road for a two-game series against the Toledo Cherokee, a team that’s proven to be a powerhouse in the USPHL this season. The Cougars brought their best efforts but faced a determined and high-powered Toledo offense, resulting in two hard-fought losses. Here’s the breakdown of both games and how the Cougars put up a relentless fight against the Great Lakes division leader.
Game 1: Friday, October 25 - Toledo Cherokee 5, Chicago Cougars 0
Final Score: Toledo 5, Chicago 0 Shots on Goal: Toledo 50, Chicago 32
In the first tilt of the series, the Cougars faced an unyielding Toledo offense that didn’t let up for a moment. The Cherokee’s scoring was spearheaded by Caden Glamkowski, who netted his fifth and sixth goals of the season, while Cameron Krause assisted on three different goals, showing off his impressive playmaking skills.
First Period Recap: Toledo jumped out with early momentum, outshooting Chicago 14-10 in the opening period. Glamkowski drew first blood just five minutes into the game, capitalizing on a clean setup from Krause, giving the Cherokee a quick 1-0 lead. A few minutes later, Carson Muglia doubled Toledo’s lead on an unassisted tally. The Cougars struggled to find the back of the net, despite some solid pressure in the offensive zone.
Second Period Recap: The Cougars started the second with grit and determination, testing Toledo goaltender Daxton Lucidi with 14 shots. However, the Cherokee’s defense held strong, and it was Toledo who added to their lead. At 7:13, Anthony DiFlora netted a power-play goal off a beautiful feed from Krause and Gavin Elkins, putting Chicago down by three.
Third Period Recap: Toledo continued its dominance in the third, outshooting Chicago 18-8 and adding two more goals. Glamkowski struck again just a minute into the period, while Landon Edwards capped off the game with a power-play goal midway through, assisted by none other than Krause, who tallied his fourth assist of the game.
Standout Performance - Cameron Boville: Despite the score, Cougars’ netminder Cameron Boville played a commendable game. He faced a daunting 50 shots, turning away 45 of them in a relentless 60-minute effort. Boville’s composure under pressure kept the Cougars within striking distance until Toledo’s final burst in the third period.
Game 2: Saturday, October 26 - Toledo Cherokee 4, Chicago Cougars 2
Final Score: Toledo 4, Chicago 2 Shots on Goal: Toledo 42, Chicago 23
Saturday night’s game saw the Cougars fight back with greater intensity and a grittier defensive strategy, but Toledo’s firepower once again proved too much. Chicago managed to get on the board and make it a much tighter contest, ultimately falling 4-2 after a tenacious effort.
First Period Recap: The Cougars struck first this time, with Alexander Musyakevych opening the scoring just two minutes in on a feed from Leo Riani. It was a bright start for Chicago, giving them the early momentum they needed. However, Toledo’s Gavin Elkins responded halfway through the period with an equalizer, and the Cougars entered the second tied at one apiece.
Second Period Recap: The second frame became a game-changer for Toledo as they fired 19 shots on Cougars’ goaltender Nick Gingold, finding the net three times. Caden Glamkowski tallied his seventh goal of the season on a power play, with assists from Elkins and Krause, while Elkins scored once more to give Toledo a commanding lead. Just before the period closed, Aidan Besedic put Toledo up 4-1.
Third Period Recap: In the final frame, Chicago fought hard to claw back into the game. Musyakevych found the net again on a power play with six minutes left, giving the Cougars some hope. But Toledo’s defense tightened, and goaltender Caleb Kril turned aside every remaining shot, keeping Chicago from any further comeback.
Standout Performance - Alexander Musyakevych: Musyakevych emerged as the Cougars’ offensive spark, notching both of the team’s goals in Game 2. His presence was crucial in keeping Chicago competitive, and he ended the night with two goals and four penalty minutes, contributing at both ends of the ice.
Penalty Battle: The Cougars’ discipline issues hurt their chances across both games, as Chicago racked up 37 penalty minutes in Game 2 alone, allowing Toledo to capitalize on power plays. Several roughing penalties and a five-minute face mask penalty by Collin Harrington were among the incidents that led to extended shorthanded play, making it difficult for Chicago to generate sustained offense.
Key Takeaways:
1. Defensive Zone Challenges: Toledo’s relentless pressure exposed gaps in the Cougars’ defensive zone. Chicago’s penalty kill units faced extensive time on the ice, and while they held strong in stretches, Toledo’s power play ultimately proved too effective to contain.
2. Bright Spots: Despite being outscored, the Cougars had strong individual performances. Musyakevych’s scoring and Boville’s goaltending were highlights, showing that Chicago has players capable of elevating their game under pressure.
3. Growing Rivalry: With the Cougars and Cherokee facing off multiple times this season, this series has already laid the groundwork for a gritty, intense rivalry. The Cougars will look to build on these tough games and aim to turn the tables when they meet Toledo again later in January.
Looking Ahead
The Cougars return home with valuable experience from a hard-fought series, where they learned both the strengths and weaknesses they’ll need to focus on in future practices. The team is eager to bounce back and is sure to bring the lessons from Toledo into their next road series against the Motor City Gamblers. The road ahead will be challenging, but the Cougars’ perseverance promises excitement as they continue to develop this season.
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