RYE, NY - On Friday, the Chatham Cougars (8-12-2) traveled to Rye, NY for their final road trip of the regular season to face off with the Manhattanville Valiants (8-13-1). After allowing an early goal the Cougars were able to keep the Valiants off the board the rest of the game and win with a final score of 2-1. 

In the first period, the Valiants jumped out to an early 1-0 lead and took that lead into the first intermission. The Cougars put seven shots on goal in the period but were unable to find the back of the net.

In the second period, Zack Conner scored the equalizer with five minutes left in the period. He was assisted by Carson Grainer. That was the only goal of the second period that saw the teams head into the final intermission tied 1-1.

In the third period, it was Bekk McClaine who put the Cougars ahead for good when he scored an unassisted goal with six minutes to play in the game. Geno Pichora made 13 saves in the final period to help the Cougars win by a final score of 2-1.

Pichora made 34 of 35 saves for the Cougars en route to a .971 save rate, his third highest of the season. The Cougars offensively had three players record a point; Conner, Grainer and McClaine. Defensively, the Cougars had six players all with two blocks to lead the team; Conner, Nick Babbie, Evan Mitchell, Milan Cermak, Kadsen Johnson and Grainer.

The Cougars and Valiants will play their second game of the weekend on Saturday February 15th at 3 p.m. in Rye.