by Romano Di Franco
The Nepean Raiders played out the second to last game of their seven game homestand by welcoming the first place Navan Grads at the Nepean Sportsplex Steve Yzerman Arena. For the starting netminders, John Gedraitis made his first start in almost a month including the holiday break. Hayden Gould who turned 20 over the break got the call for the Grads.
First Period Dominance:
The Navan Grads wasted no time establishing their lead in the first period, with three goals leaving the Nepean Raiders trailing. The scoring spree began at 4:18, courtesy of Shaan Kingwell, who capitalized on assists from Gabriel Crete and Devon Savignac. Sam Glover added to the tally at 9:28, followed by Devon Savignac at 17:00, showcasing the team’s offensive prowess. Prior to the scoring, Grads goalie Haydn Gould was forced to leave the game due to injury and he would be replaced by Jaeden Nelson.
Second Period Highlights:
In the second period, the Navan Grads continued their relentless attack. Shaan Kingwell netted his second goal of the night at 9:42, extending the lead. However, Nepean Raiders responded at 12:22, with Joshua Reid finding the back of the net, momentarily halting the Navan Grads’ momentum. It was Reid’s third goal in four games. Undeterred, Devon Savignac notched his second goal of the game that one coming from a penalty shot, securing a 5-1 lead for Navan.
Third Period Seal:
The third period saw the Navan Grads maintaining their dominance. Danik Marion scored at 5:30, further solidifying their lead. Nepean Raiders managed to net another goal at 12:17, courtesy of Brandon Reinisch, but the Navan Grads swiftly responded with Sam Glover securing his second goal of the game on the power play at 15:07. Nepean’s best chance of the third period came from the recently acquired Kyle Slingerland but he missed the net.
Penalty Drama:
The game wasn’t without its share of penalties, with both teams spending time in the sin bin. Notably, the Navan Grads’ Devon Savignac converted a penalty shot at 13:26 in the second period, adding to the team’s lead.
Stars of the Game:
The three stars of the game were awarded to standout players from the Navan Grads and Nepean Raiders. Shaan Kingwell, who contributed two goals, claimed the first star. Jaeden Nelson, the goaltender for Navan, earned the second star with an impressive 37 saves. Joshua Reid of the Nepean Raiders secured the third star, scoring a goal during the matchup.
In summary, the Navan Grads’ stellar offensive performance, coupled with solid goaltending, proved too much for the Nepean Raiders to handle. The victory not only showcased the team’s skill but also affirmed their position as a formidable force in the hockey arena.
Nepean’s next game will be held on Sunday January 14th when the Cornwall Colts come to town and also that’s when the Raiders’ season long seven game homestand closes as well.
