2003-04 Bantam B - Regular Season Game 1 Details vs. Santa Rosa

3/6/04 - Cougars defeated by Santa Rosa Flyers 3-2

1st period:
After a quick visit to the "Snoopy" store, the Cougars were ready to take on the Santa Rosa Flyers, in their last meeting in the regular season. The first period started with the Cougars connecting on passes, but just unable to get past the Flyer's defense. No team really dominated the period, much of the period played in neutral ice. The Cougars were able to get some great scoring chances from #2 Kevin Heyl, #81 Zefan Hurley, and #4 Chase Johnson, unfortunately the Flyer's goalie was able to keep the Cougars off the score sheet. Late in the period, the Flyers were able to score on the power play.

2nd period:
Although the Cougars had some great chances from #25 Alan Reese and #11 Nathan Ellison to start the period, the Flyers were able to score another goal off a breakaway. The Cougars found themselves in a hole early in the period. The Flyers scored again halfway through the period to take the 3-0 lead. The Cougars just didn't seem to be connecting and started taking some unnecessary penalties.

3rd period:
The Cougars came out with a vengeance to start the period with some great scoring chances again from #2 Kevin Heyl, but was once again shut-down by the Flyer goalie. The Cougars were finally able to get on the board by some great work by #9 Jeff Adams, to #77 Rickey Niday. This seemed to spark the Cougars into action. #10 Alan Nguyen, #17 Connor Sullivan, #7 Max DeLance, and #4 Chase Johnson all had excellent scoring chances early in the period. The Flyers found themselves down a man, which allowed the Cougars' #9 Jeff Adams to bring the score to within one. The Cougars continued to attack, putting tons of pressure on the Flyer's defense as well as the goalie. The surge to win came a little to late, as the Flyers were able to hold on for the victory.

Summary:
Great defense and goaltending from the Flyers kept the Cougars off the scoreboard until the third period. Although the Cougars were shorthanded on defense, #81 Zefan Hurley, #16 Denis van de Goor, #47 Jordan Fragoza did an excellent job. Moving forward, the Cougars will be taking on the San Jose Sharks for their last regular season game…then it's off to the play-offs. Go Cougars!!!!!!