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Local products shining for Cariboo Cougars

The Cariboo Cougars have been crowned regular season champions in the BC Major Midget Hockey League.
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Quesnel's Myles Mattila of the Cariboo Cougars looks for the pass during the game.

Ryan Graham, Observer Reporter

The Cariboo Cougars have been crowned regular season champions in the BC Major Midget Hockey League with their win over the Okanagan Rockets March 4.

The Cougars only needed one win to lock up the top seed but picked up two during their weekend series with the Rockets, winning 5-2 on March 4 and 4-3 on March 5. Myles Mattila of Quesnel picked up a goal in both games while Daine Dubois of Williams Lake finished the weekend series with five assists, which tied him for the scoring lead in the regular season with 67 points.

The Cougars finished the season with 34 wins, five loses and one overtime loss on the season for 69 points which is their best record in franchise history. The team has some local talent in their lineup with Ty Kolle and Mattila, who have been big contributors for the team this season.

Kolle. after spending some time with the Western Hockey League’s Portland Winterhawks. came back to the Cougars and right away made his mark. In 20 games with the team he recorded six goals and 16 assists for 22 points.

Kolle, who stands 5’8 and weighs 180 pounds is a tenacious player on the ice and is hard to knock off the puck which is a big advantage for him. He also utilizes his speed, skill and has improved his decision making with the puck.

Mattila finished the season with eight goals and 14 assists for a total of 22 points in 38 games for the Cougars and brings leadership qualities to the team. He plays a power forward role and plays in every zone on the ice to help his team.

So far in the post-season the Cougars have taken advantage of their home ice advantage, sweeping the eighth ranked Kootenay Ice in two games in their first round matchup last weekend.

The Cougars will now host the Vancouver North West Giants in the semifinals this weekend in Prince George.