by Romano Di Franco
The Nepean Raiders traveled to the Mae-Te-Way Activity Center to play out the first game of their home and home series against the Renfrew Wolves. John Gedraitis got the nod in goal for the Raiders having appeared in relief last week against the Kemptville 73s. Viacheslav Gordeichuk got the start for the Wolves.
First Period Dominance
The Nepean Raiders wasted no time making their mark on the game, securing a commanding lead in the first period. Oliver Band opened the scoring at 5:55, followed by Kyle Slingerland’s goal at 7:09 and Curtiss Sturgeon’s contribution at 16:11. This was Sturgeon’s 17th goal of the season extending his career season. The Raiders dominated the scoring, leaving the Renfrew Wolves trailing by three goals at the end of the first period.
Defensive Battle in the Second Period
The second period saw a change in the tempo, with neither team managing to find the back of the net. In the end it was the Renfrew Wolves who dominated that second period outshooting Nepean 21-6, but it was John Gedraitis who proved to be a brick wall.
Nepean Raiders Seal the Deal in the Third Period
The third period witnessed an explosion of goals from both teams. Nick Houben extended the Raiders’ lead at 4:51, followed by Nolan DeFazio’s short-handed goal at 8:56. The Renfrew Wolves, however, managed to get on the scoreboard with Jace Letourneau’s goal at 10:26.
Despite the Wolves’ efforts, the Nepean Raiders continued to press forward, with Oliver Band netting his second goal of the night on the power play at 15:59. This was the second time this year that Band score two goals with the first coming against the Cornwall Colts. The Wolves responded with Mathieu Paquin’s power-play goal at 17:07. This was Paquin’s 18th goal of the season and his 10th since joining the Wolves, but it was not enough to overcome the Raiders’ lead.
Penalties Add Drama
The game featured several penalties, adding a layer of intensity to the competition. Tripping, roughing, slashing, and high sticking penalties kept both teams on their toes, creating power-play opportunities and penalty kills.
Star Performances
The three stars of the game showcased outstanding performances. Oliver Band of the Nepean Raiders claimed the first star with two goals, John Gedraitis secured the second star with a stellar goaltending performance, and Jace Letourneau of the Renfrew Wolves earned the third star with a goal and an assist.
Final Thoughts
The Nepean Raiders demonstrated their offensive prowess and resilience, securing a well-deserved victory over the Renfrew Wolves. The game showcased the competitive spirit of both teams, providing fans with a memorable hockey experience filled with goals, saves, and thrilling moments on the ice.
The Raiders next game will be in less than 24 hours when they get to welcome the Renfrew Wolves to the Nepean Sportsplex Steve Yzerman Arena for a 2:30PM puck drop.
