OHL Soo Greyhounds

Cousins First-Career Hat-Trick Leads Hounds over Sting

Published on February 22, 2013 under Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Soo Greyhounds News Release


SARNIA, ONTARIO- After an 8-0 win just over a week ago against the Sting, the Soo Greyhounds were expecting a different approach from Sarnia when they opened their three-game roaadtrip on Thursday Night at the RBC Centre.

Separted by a single point in the standings, the West Division rivals were meeting for their 8th and final time of the regular season. (The Hounds led the season series 4-3)

Early in the first, the trio of NICK HALAGIAN, RYAN KIRKUP and TRENT MALLETTE built up some energy and effectively helped the Hounds gain momentum, and saw them roll all four lines all night long.

NICK COUSINS opened the scoring 7:33 into the first period.  The Hounds leading scorer redirected a left point shot from DARNELL NURSE high on Sting retminder JP Anderson for the 1-0 lead, coming off the Hounds 5th shot of the game.

Just under a minute later, NICK HALAGIAN flipped the puck over a Sting defender before breaking in on Anderson from the right wing but was unable to notch his 8th goal of the year.

Then with 8:45 to play in the period the Hounds failed to clear the puck, and as it neared the blueline, Sting defender Craig Duininck rushed the line while sending a one-time shot from the right point that beat staring netminder JUSTIN NICHOLS to the gloveside for a 1-1 tie after twenty minutes.

MATT MURRAY would start the second for the Hounds in what the team is calling a precautionary measure, leaving NICHOLS with 7 saves on 8 shots through his twenty minutes played.

Early in the second period, and while on the powerplay, BRANDON ALDERSON just missed in close to leave things even.

Then near the midway point, SERGEY TOLCHINSKY and COUSINS broke in on a 2-on-1 but the TOLCHINSKY shot went off the crossbar, yet again leaving the Hounds from furthering their lead.

The middle frame saw the Hounds hold period shot leads of 13-2, 18-2 before eventually outshooting the Sting 22-5 in the frame.

The Hounds would pull ahead just over seven minutes in when DAVID BROLL found TRENT MALLETTE who shielded himself momentarily before stepping aside from a Sting and backhanding a shot low to Anderson's left for a 2-1 lead.

With ten minutes to play in period, MICHAEL SCHUMACHER sent TYLER GAUDET in all alone but the Hamilton, ON product was unable to come away rewarded.

In the final minute, 28.8 seconds to go, COLIN MILLER called for the puck before sending a pass cross-ice for NICK COUSINS to bury his 2nd of the night and 25th of the year to send the Hounds ahead 3-1 into the dressing room.

The second period was a dominate period by the locals by indicated by their shots total, and also offensive chances they presented against the Sting.

Over seven minutes into the third, RYAN SPROUL forced a turnover at the Sting blueline before wiring a long shot past Anderson for a 4-1 lead, while notching his 19th goal of the year.

The Hounds went to their third powerplay of the game, before being assessed a minor penalty (Sting powerplay) for the first time in the game at 7:38.

While on the powerplay, Sting forward Reid Boucher recorded his 52nd goal of the year from the right of Murray and cut the lead to 4-2.

One of COUSINS first chances for the hat-trick came before the midway point when he was sprung on a breakaway but turned aside by a poke check by the Sting netminder.

Two minutes later (10:49), SERGEY TOLCHINSKY cut in around the defense from the right wing, cut across the crease before firing home his 20th goal of the year from the opposite side and regained the Hounds three goal lead.

COUSINS would then notch his 1st career OHL hat-trick after a shot by RYAN SPROUL came off the end boards and he fired it home from the left of the goal for a 6-2 lead.  That goal came on the powerplay, and marked the Belleville, ON products 4th point of the night.

With under three to play, Boucher beat Murray to the blocker side, rounding out the scoring in a 6-3 Greyhound victory.

The win marked the Hounds third consecutive victory, improving their record to 32-21-2-2 on the year (68 points) and regained the club 2nd position in the West Division.  It also saw them take advantage of the game in hand they held over Plymouth, Windsor and Saginaw - with all teams now playing 57 games on the year.

The Hounds now head into London on Friday for their 3rd meeting of the season.  Opening puck drops at Budweiser Gardens at 7 p.m., with the pre-game show preceding that beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Rock 101.

SHOTS ON GOAL

Sarnia - 8-5-10=23

Sault Ste. Marie - 12-22-11=45

RED STAR THREE STARS OF THE GAME

1 - SSM, Nick Cousins (27)

2 - SSM, Ryan Sproul (55)

3 - SAR, Reid Boucher (14)

2013-14 SEASON TICKET RENEWALS

Fans are reminded that season ticket renewals for the 2013-14 season have begun and run through April 12, 2013.

Those wishing to secure their seat for next season can do so by stopping by the Essar Centre Box Office (Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and placing a $50 non-refundable deposit on each seat, along with picking their payment method at that time.

Watch soogreyhounds.com in the next two days for full details on renewal prize packages available to be won along with STH benefits for next year.

Check out the Soo Greyhounds Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from February 22, 2013


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