Cougars Break Losing Streak

MORRISTOWN — The Chatham High School ice hockey team picked up its first win of 2010 as the Cougars defeated Morristown High School 3-1 on Saturday at Mennen Arena.

"The guys are feeling much better, but we've been playing well," Chatham Head Coach Harvey Cohen said. "We haven't been playing poorly; we just weren't able to get over the third period hump. And tonight, we were able to do that."

The Cougars, who had not won since Dec. 29, went into the third period with a 2-0 lead over the Colonials.

They scored first when senior forward and captain Steven Valeri netted the puck with 9:47 left in the first period. Senior forward Alex Guider and junior forward Jake Pyhel assisted on the goal.

"With my line, at least, we were just moving the puck really well," Valeri said.

Chatham sophomore Alex Rauter picked up a shorthanded goal off an assist from sophomore forward Danny Casey with 5:57 left in the first period to give the Cougars an early 2-0 lead.

The Cougars struggled to hold leads during their five-game losing streak, and though they allowed a goal midway through the third period, Rauter scored an empty net goal with 15 seconds left in the game to ice the victory.

"I don't think they felt very safe because we were ahead 2-1 to Morris Knolls, we were ahead 2-1 against Montgomery, we were tied with Jefferson last Saturday then went ahead 3-2 then lost," Cohen said. "We're not feeling extremely comfortable with leads in the third period yet."

Morristown's lone goal of the game came on a powerplay opportunity. Colonials' captain Trey Peacock scored off an assist from Jordan Klotz.

Chatham senior goaltender Andrew Mortensen made 17 stops in the game to help the Cougars get the win.

Chatham improved to 6-6-1 overall and 2-4-1 in the Morris County Secondary Schools Ice Hockey League. The Cougars continue their season at 7:45pm Wednesday as they take on Mountain Lakes High School at Mennen Arena.