Santa Clara Blackhawks AA 4, Cougars 99AA 1

October 2, 2010

The Norcal Pee Wee AA season kicked off this past weekend with a full slate of games, all six teams seeing action on Saturday. The Cougars 99AA team opened with a spirited game against the Santa Clara Blackhawks, but the Blackhawks scored two empty net goals late to break open a 2-1 game. The Cougars defense was particularly strong and the goaltending was outstanding throughout. Despite a major disparity in shots on goal, the Cougars were in this game until the end.

The Blackhawks scored first late in the first period, capitalizing on an extended delayed penalty call while already on the power play and essentially scoring during 15 seconds of 6-on-4 play. The Cougars first and second lines applied some heat during the first period, but the Blackhawks turned away all chances and added a goal in the second stanza to take a 2-0 lead into the third.

In the final frame, the Cougars third line got the puck deep and forced a faceoff that the first line converted into the only Cougar goal midway through the period. As the third period wound down, the Cougars got another power play, and the team tried to pounce on the late opportunity by pulling its goalie. The Blackhawks, however, were able to capitalize on the empty net with just over two minutes remaining. After getting the puck deep again on the ensuing faceoff, the Cougars again pulled their goalie, but the Blackhawks added another empty netter in the final seconds to close out the 4-1 win.