Coming off of a strong opening weekend, the Burlington Cougars travelled down the QEW to square off with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres on Wednesday night. This was their first trip across the border since being eliminated from last year’s playoffs, a game surely circled on the Cougars’ calendar.

With memories of unfinished business in the back of their minds, the Cougars walloped the Jr. Sabres in a lopsided 10-0 victory. The returning core of players led the way, but some new additions to the roster also made their mark in their first taste of the rivalry.

It would not take long for the Cougars to pounce as Keanan Stewart found the back of the just 1:45 into the first period. Despite finishing the game being outshot by Buffalo, the Cougars would dominate the score sheet from the drop of the puck to the final buzzer.

Ethan Grant extended the lead to 2-0 while Brendan Rylott chipped in back-to-back insurance markers (including one on the powerplay) to give Burlington a commanding 4-0 lead through 20 minutes.

Newcomer Patrick Klazer assisted on both Rylott goals in the period and would finish the game with a team high five assists. The 6’2 defenseman now has six points through his first 3 games, an astounding start for a player touted for his defensive play.

Mitchell Morrison potted his first of two goals just over five minutes into the second period to put the score out of reach. Morrison continues his explosion out of the gate with three points on the night and a game high 5 shots. He, too, now has six points through the first three games of the season. The Cougars would add three more in the frame to double up the score on the Jr. Sabres, 8-0.

Newly-minted captain Matt Hobbs buried his first goal with the “C” on his chest while Joel Holtrop and Harrison Cottam joined the party with goals of their own. The Cougars had eight different players find the back of the net on Wednesday, while fourteen players picked up points. Derek McVey, who had two points in Saturday’s home opener, picked up three assists in the win.

Goaltender Max Wright earned the start and the victory once again, stopping all 35 Buffalo shots in what will seemingly be his first of many shutouts on the season. Wright has only surrendered five goals in his first three games, giving him a 1.67 GAA and .950 save percentage early in the season.

The Cougars have outscored their opponents 20-5 in three games, not only showing their offensive prowess but they have been defensively sound with Wright backstopping them.

The Cougars will play back-to-back games at Appleby this weekend following a solid 3-0 start to the season. They look to extend this hot start on Saturday night when they’ll host the Stouffville Spirit (0-2), followed by another tilt with the Milton Menace (0-2) on Sunday. Puck drop for both games will be at 7:30pm.

- Written by Chris Perrelli