On Dec. 29, 2021, the Bobwhites faced off against the Northeastern Clinton Cougars out of Rouses Point in a non-league tilt. After the opening minutes sizzled out, the Cougars came down on a two on one and Winfred Simpson (‘25) beat senior goaltender Michel Telfer (’22) post in to put the Cougars up 1-0 early in the first. 

Later in the first period, the Bobwhites went on the powerplay and Cam Johnson (‘23) evened the score at 1-1 with a juicy rebound that was left in the slot. Johnson shared his emotions on the goal post-game with The Messenger, “I felt pretty ecstatic,” and this goal would prove to be ecstatic for the Bobwhites as just 3 minutes later forward Aiden Savoy (’22) broke loose on a breakaway and beat Cougar netminder Peter Judkins (‘23) to send the Bobwhites into the first intermission with a 2-1 lead. 

The second period was evenly played out as the Cougars managed to get 11 shots on goal, but the Bobwhites’ defense would eliminate high-scoring opportunities.  Around halfway through the period, forward Sean Beauregard (’22) came out of the corner, rounding the top of the faceoff circle, and sniping one high glove side on Judkins to give the Bobwhites a 3-1 lead into intermission. 

Early into the third period the Bobwhites’ first line, being senior forwards Matt Merrill (’22), Collin Audy (’22) and Levi Webb (’22), lit the lamp to put the Bobwhites up 4-1. However, the Cougar’s Winfred Simpson would respond just 10 seconds later to cut the lead to 4-2. Despite the Bobwhites getting into penalty trouble, the score would stay at 4-2 before Merrill scored the empty netter to put this one away at a final score of 5-2. 

The Cougars of Northeastern Clinton proved themselves as a legitimate challenge this game, but the Bobwhites’ depth showed as they improved to 2-0-0 on the season and look to carry that momentum into the rest of the season.