It was evident early that there was a reason the Montgomery Cougars (14-3-3)  were predicted to be the number two seed in the upcoming state playoffs.

In a 5-0 win over the Ridge Red Devils on Saturday night at Bridgewater Sports Arena, it didn't even take three minutes for the Cougars to light the lamp. Because of a heavy forecheck from Montgomery a lost puck found its way onto Lucas Esposito's stick, who threw it in front to a wide-open Connor Healy, who buried home the first goal of the game.

That was only the beginning for Montgomery–currently ranked 11th in the state. Later in the first, Healy would strike again, this time in abnormal fashion, banking the puck off of Red Devils' goalie Ted Zarabara.

After Kevin Wanke scored on a wrist shot from the high slot in the second to give the Cougars a 4-0 lead, putting the game virtually out of reach, Zarabara was pulled and junior Alec Wells took over in the net. Throughout the final period and a half, Wells would only allow one goal, a power play goal in the third period by Matt Fox, giving Montgomery a 5-0 lead–the eventual final score.

Cougars' captain Amo Hare was all over the ice, tallying two assists. "Great win tonight," he said, "You know, Ridge, they're a big rival. I think all four years here, this has been a game to look forward to, so yeah, it's really a great win."

"I have a lot of options out there," he said when asked about the goal scorers he plays with, "I'm much more of a playmaker. I can finish if I have to but I'd rather get the assist." Dylan Dineen would record the shut-out for Montgomery, who saw little action at his end of the night.

With the loss, the Red Devils fall to 8-11-4, and lose any chance of making the 2010 state playoffs.