FRASER, Mi. - The Chicago Cougars Premier squad sent shockwaves through the division this week, steamrolling their way to a decisive three-game road sweep of the Motor City Gamblers at Big Boy Arena. The series opened with fireworks, peaked with drama, and closed with surgical precision as the Cougars outscored their rivals 12-2 across the three contests.
Tuesday's opener was the Alexander Musyakevych show, as the sniper lit the lamp an eye-popping four times in a 7-0 demolition. After a tight-checking first frame, Musyakevych and the Cougars caught fire, turning the neutral zone into their personal playground while netminder Sam Burcal pitched a 35-save shutout. Playmaking wizard Nikolay Ouriashev quietly racked up five helpers in the rout.
The middle game proved that the Cougars can win tight as well as big. In a gritty Wednesday matinee that featured plenty of bad blood - including a heated scrap that saw both Brett Tumbrink and Motor City's Ethan Gray get the gate - Chicago needed some shootout heroics to secure the 2-1 victory. Leo Riani's second-period tally was answered late by the Gamblers, but Collin Harrington played hero in the skills competition to keep the win streak alive.
Thursday's Halloween finale saw the Cougars execute a textbook road victory to complete the sweep. After falling behind on an Ethyn Fultz power-play marker, Chicago roared back with three unanswered goals. Ouriashev played conductor once again, setting up all three tallies including Austin Plumert's empty-netter to seal the 3-1 win. Burcal continued his stellar series between the pipes, turning aside 30 shots.
The sweep vaults the surging Cougars to 5-5-0-0-1-0 on the season, with momentum firmly on their side as they head home. Between Musyakevych's goal-scoring touch, Ouriashev's playmaking brilliance, and Burcal's steady presence in the crease, Chicago served notice that they're a force to be reckoned with in the Midwest division race.
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