Northumberland's two Junior A teams continued to move in different directions last weekend.

The Port Hope Predators and Cobourg Cougars faced off on Friday, Nov. 30, at the Jack Burger Sports Complex, and the Preds proved once again they have their rival's number with a 6-1 victory.

Spencer Finney stood tall in the Port Hope net with 34 saves, while the team received an offensive boost from a number of their players, including Chad Dunlop who notched a hat trick and added an assist. Jeremy McCarty tallied a goal and an assist, while both Brooks Mejia and newcomer Trevor Koverko contributed two assists. Coach Brian Drumm was happy with the result and his team's performance.

"Our big line of Dunlop, McCarty and Tyler Miller was pretty dominant," said Drumm.

Koverko, the team's newest acquisition and formerly of the OHL's London Knights, has also impressed the coach. "He's pretty solid. He's a three- or four-year OHL veteran, so he stands out. He moves the puck pretty well and makes a big difference."

Port Hope's home stand continued on Saturday when the Quinte West Pack came to town. Though the game was tighter than the one against Cobourg, the Preds still managed a 4-3 win. Devan Hartigan got the win in his second start in the Predators net, making 24 saves. The newcomer is with the Preds on a tryout basis.

The pair of wins allowed the Preds to stay within striking distance of the third place Peterborough Stars. Port Hope plays Quinte a return visit on Friday, Dec. 7.

The Cobourg Cougars rebounded from their loss in Port Hope with a 3-2 overtime victory in Bowmanville on Dec. 2. Though the Cougars were outshot 56-26, a stellar, 54-save effort from goaltender Jory Fuller prevented the Eagles from pulling away and the game went to overtime. With 12 seconds left in the extra frame, Nik Walsh scored his second goal of the night to grab the victory.

Unfortunately for the Cougars and their faithful, their home date with the Kingston Voyageurs on Monday held no such success. The home side was manhandled as Kingston left town with a 12-3 victory.

"(The loss) was really bad," said Coach Wayne Marchment. "I've never been involved in something like that."

Kyle Cresswell scored a pair of goals in a game which was otherwise short on highlights for the Cougars. Both Fuller and Dan Clarke spent time in the Cobourg net during the game and both struggled against the Kingston offence, the coach said.

While the Cougars are only five points behind seventh place Lindsay, the Muskies have six games in hand. Things won't get easier for the Cougars as they face off with the Wellington Dukes on Friday, Dec. 7.