OAK FOREST, IL - The Chicago Cougars kicked off the new year with a three-game weekend that tested their resilience against both their cross-town rivals, the Chicago Crush, and divisional foes, the Decatur Blaze. It was a weekend filled with highs, lows, and plenty of lessons for a team still searching for consistency in the USPHL Premier Division. Buckle up, folks—this one’s a rollercoaster.
Game 1: Friday, January 3 – Chicago Cougars vs. Chicago Crush (0-4 L)
The weekend started on a sour note as the Cougars were shut out 4-0 by their cross-town rivals, the Crush, at Orbit Ice Arena. The game was a frustrating affair for the Cougars, who struggled to generate offense and were outplayed in nearly every facet of the game.
Key Takeaways:
Special Teams Struggles: The Cougars’ penalty kill was under constant pressure, surrendering two power-play goals to the Crush. Jacob Rozanski was a standout for the Crush, netting two goals, including the game-winner, and adding an assist. The Cougars, meanwhile, went 0-for-3 on the power play, failing to capitalize on their opportunities.
Discipline Issues: The Cougars racked up 35 penalty minutes, including a 10-minute misconduct for Brett Tumbrink and a game misconduct for the bench. The parade to the penalty box disrupted any chance of building momentum.
Goaltending Shuffle: Nick Gingold started the game but was pulled after allowing four goals on 23 shots. Cameron Boville came in relief and stopped all 10 shots he faced, but the damage was already done.
Quote of the Game:“We shot ourselves in the foot with the penalties. You can’t give a team like the Crush that many opportunities and expect to win.” – Head Coach Josh Dallmann.
Game 2: Saturday, January 4 – Chicago Cougars vs. Decatur Blaze (4-3 W, SO)
The Cougars bounced back in dramatic fashion on Saturday, securing a thrilling 4-3 shootout victory over the Decatur Blaze at Scott R. Triphahn Arena. After a hard-fought battle that saw the Cougars claw back from a late deficit, they emerged victorious in the shootout, thanks to clutch performances from William Stornello and Rocco Romita.
Key Takeaways:
Owen Plumert’s Spark: Plumert opened the scoring for the Cougars with his second goal of the season, injecting some much-needed energy into the lineup.
Power Play Success: The Cougars went 2-for-6 on the power play, with Caleb Berkenkotter and Ben Moak both finding the back of the net. Alexander Musyakevych continued to be a driving force, tallying two assists.
Third Period Grit: Down 3-2 late in the third, the Cougars showed resilience with a power-play goal from Moak to force overtime. The game ultimately went to a shootout, where Stornello and Romita delivered the decisive goals.
Physicality: The game was a chippy affair, with multiple fights and misconducts handed out. Peter Christofidis and Griffin Delfosse both received game misconducts, highlighting the intensity of the divisional rivalry.
Quote of the Game:“We showed a lot of heart coming back in the third and getting the win in the shootout. It’s a big two points for us, and we’ll build on this momentum.” – Assistant Coach Anthony Rohde.
Game 3: Sunday, January 5 – Chicago Cougars vs. Chicago Crush (5-7 L)
The weekend wrapped up with another showdown against the Crush, and while the Cougars put up a better fight, they ultimately fell 7-5 in a high-scoring affair.
Key Takeaways:
Musyakevych’s Dominance: Alexander Musyakevych was a one-man wrecking crew, scoring two goals and adding two assists. His 17th goal of the season came late in the third, but it wasn’t enough to spark a comeback.
Penalty Kill Struggles: The Cougars’ PK unit was under fire again, allowing four power-play goals. The Crush’s ability to capitalize on man-advantage situations was the difference-maker.
Bright Spots: Rocco Romita and Brett Tumbrink both found the back of the net, and William Stornello contributed a goal and an assist. The Cougars showed they could hang with the Crush offensively, but defensive lapses proved costly.
Quote of the Game:“We’ve got to clean up our defensive zone play. Giving up seven goals is never going to get it done, no matter how many we score.” – Defenseman Austin Plumert.
Weekend MVP: Alexander Musyakevych
Musyakevych was the heartbeat of the Cougars’ offense all weekend, tallying three goals and four assists across the three games. His ability to create chances and finish plays kept the Cougars in every game, even when the odds were stacked against them.
Looking Ahead:
The Cougars now sit at 11-12-0-0-2-0 on the season, with plenty of room for growth as they push for a playoff spot. The weekend highlighted both the potential and the pitfalls of this team. When they stay disciplined and execute their game plan, they can compete with anyone. But when the penalties pile up and the defensive structure breaks down, they’re vulnerable.
Next up, the Cougars hit the road for a crucial divisional matchup against the Fort Wayne Spacemen. If they can tighten up their penalty kill and find more consistency in their play, they’ll be a tough out down the stretch.
Final Thought:This weekend was a microcosm of the Cougars’ season so far—flashes of brilliance mixed with moments of frustration. The talent is there, but the margin for error in the USPHL is razor-thin. As the calendar flips to 2025, the Cougars have a chance to write their own story. Will they rise to the occasion or fade into the background? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: this team isn’t going down without a fight.
Stay tuned for more updates, analysis, and behind-the-scenes coverage of the Chicago Cougars as they chase glory in the USPHL Premier Division. And as always, make sure to catch all the Cougars excitement live on FloHockey.tv!
Comments