OAK FOREST, IL - The Chicago Cougars Elite squad put on a clinic this week, steamrolling their way to a perfect 3-0 record against Midwest divisional rivals. From a hard-fought comeback against the Decatur Blaze to back-to-back commanding victories over the Motor City Gamblers, the Cougars displayed a blend of grit, skill, and relentless determination. This wasn’t just a successful week—it was a declaration that the Cougars are hitting their stride at the right time, with contributions from every corner of the lineup. Let’s dive into the action and break down how the Cougars turned up the heat in the Midwest.
Game 1: Chicago Cougars 4, Decatur Blaze 3
Tuesday, February 11, 2025 – The Edge Ice Arena
The Cougars kicked off the week with a hard-fought 4-3 victory over the Decatur Blaze, a team they’ve historically dominated. But this wasn’t a walk in the park. The Blaze came out swinging, and the Cougars had to dig deep to secure the W.
First Period: The Cougars came out flying, with Kyle LaMantia lighting the lamp just nine seconds into the game. That’s right—nine seconds. Talk about setting the tone. Paulius Uzusienis doubled the lead midway through the period with a snipe from the point, assisted by Timothy Boyd. The Cougars were buzzing, outshooting the Blaze 13-9 in the opening frame.
Second Period: The Blaze responded in the second, with Roman Chernitskiy and Davin Hynek (on the power play) tying the game at 2-2. The Cougars’ penalty kill, which has been a sore spot this season, showed some cracks, but Kole Wendt stood tall in net, making key saves to keep the game within reach.
Third Period: The Blaze took their first lead of the game early in the third, with Chernitskiy netting his second of the night. But the Cougars didn’t panic. Caleb Schulz tied it up with a gritty goal, and Trey Henderson delivered the dagger on the power play with just under four minutes left. Henderson’s game-winner was a thing of beauty, set up by Caleb Lind, who continues to be a playmaking machine.
Key Takeaways:
Kole Wendt was solid, stopping 15 of 18 shots.
The power play went 1-for-4, but Henderson’s clutch goal proved decisive.
The Cougars dominated possession, outshooting the Blaze 39-18.
Coach Anthony Rohde’s Take: “I liked our start—scoring nine seconds in really set the tone. But we got a little complacent in the second, and Decatur made us pay. Credit to our guys for sticking with it and finding a way to win. That’s what good teams do.”
Game 2: Chicago Cougars 5, Motor City Gamblers 1
Friday, February 14, 2025 – The Edge Ice Arena
If Tuesday’s game was a grind, Friday’s matchup against the Motor City Gamblers was a statement. The Cougars exploded for four goals in the first period and never looked back, cruising to a 5-1 victory.
First Period: The Cougars came out like a freight train. Kennelly Clinton opened the scoring five minutes in, and Brandon Behnke added a power-play goal shortly after. Then, Evan Reiner decided to steal the show, scoring back-to-back goals in the final three minutes of the period. Reiner, who’s been a depth contributor this season, had a breakout game, finishing with two goals and an assist.
Second Period: The Gamblers tightened up defensively, but the Cougars’ defense was equally stingy. Cougars Goaltender Kole Wendt, continuing his solid play, was a brick wall, turning aside all 19 shots he faced in the period.
Third Period: Matthew Corvo added a fifth goal early in the third, and the Gamblers finally got on the board late with a goal from Joey O’Donnell. But by then, the game was well out of reach.
Key Takeaways:
Evan Reiner was the star of the night, with two goals and an assist.
The penalty kill was perfect, shutting down all seven Gamblers power plays.
The Cougars’ depth shone, with goals from four different players.
Coach Anthony Rohde’s Take:“That’s the kind of hockey we’re capable of playing. We were relentless on the forecheck, our power play was clicking, and our defense was rock-solid. Evan [Reiner] had a huge night, and it’s great to see our depth guys stepping up.”
Game 3: Chicago Cougars 5, Motor City Gamblers 1
Saturday, February 15, 2025 – Orbit Ice Arena
The Cougars completed the weekend sweep of the Gamblers with another 5-1 victory, this time on the road. The game followed a similar script, with the Cougars using a balanced attack and strong goaltending to secure the win.
First Period: The Gamblers struck first on the power play, with Brandon Thomas burying a feed from Luc Hill.
Second Period: The Cougars responded in the second period with three unanswered goals. Kyle LaMantia, Brandon Behnke, and Cameron Twadell all found the back of the net, with Twadell’s goal standing as the game-winner.
Third Period: Gianni Annicchiarico and Twadell (again) added insurance goals in the third, and Andrew DiSilvestro was stellar in net, stopping 26 of 27 shots.
Key Takeaways:
Cameron Twadell had a monster game, with two goals and an assist.
The power play went 1-for-4, while the penalty kill was a perfect 4-for-4.
The Cougars’ defense limited the Gamblers to just 27 shots.
Coach Anthony Rohde’s Take: “Back-to-back wins against a tough divisional opponent—that’s huge for us. Our guys are buying into the system, and it’s showing on the ice. We’re getting contributions from everyone, and that’s what it takes to win in this league.”
The Big Picture
The Cougars went 3-0 on the week, improving to 21-18-0-1 on the season. The wins against the Gamblers were particularly encouraging, as they showcased the team’s depth and ability to dominate when firing on all cylinders. However, the close call against the Blaze serves as a reminder that there’s still work to be done, especially on the penalty kill and in maintaining consistency over 60 minutes.
Player of the Week: Evan Reiner – The forward had a breakout performance against the Gamblers, tallying two goals and an assist in Friday’s win. His energy and production were key to the Cougars’ success.
Looking Ahead:The Cougars have a tough stretch coming up, with games against the Decatur Blaze on the road and then cross-town rivals the Chicago Crush. If they can build on this week’s performances, they’ll be in a strong position to climb the standings. As Coach Rohde put it: “We’re finding our groove. Now it’s about staying consistent and keeping our foot on the gas.” Catch all the Cougars excitement live on FloHockey.tv!
Comments