by Romano Di Franco
RENFREW, ON – The Nepean Raiders were at the Ma-Te-Way Activity Center to take on the Renfrew Wolves on Friday night. It was the final road game of the season for the Raiders with the final home game taking place on Sunday.
The Raiders started Joshua Branton (2-5, 4.89 GAA, 0.893 SV %) in goal while Aaron Matthews (1-1-1, 3.55 GAA, 0.855 SV%) defended the net for the Wolves.
Nicholas Larkin opened the scoring on the PowerPlay with Thierry Lizotte in the box for Interference. Larkin’s blast from the point went past a screened Matthews. Luke Posthumus and Jack Matsukubo picked up the assists.
Jackson Barnes extended the Nepean lead pouncing on a Jackson Barnes rebound in the slot rifling a shot high over the glove side.
After 20 minutes Nepean led 2-0 outshooting Renfrew 11-10 in the process.
Tyson Tomasini got Renfrew within one with his 31st of the season taking the puck from behind the net and beating Branton through the five-hole.
Luke Posthumus, who was just named CCHL Rookie of the year, scored his 18th of the campaign one-timing a perfect cross-ice feed from Jack Matsukubo off the post and in to make it 3-1 Nepean before adding his 19th of the season finishing off an Owen Hardy pass to the far post. Curtiss Sturgeon had the other helper.
Brandon Reinisch made it 5-1 beating Matthews under the right pad on a one-timer from a Nicolas Papineau pass. Anthony Rivard had the other assist.
After 40 minutes Nepean had a commanding 5-1 lead despite Renfrew outshooting Nepean 21-11 in the middle frame.
Larkin picked up his second PowerPlay goal of the game this time with Elvis Slack in the box for Roughing. It was a shot from the point that may have been tipped but Larkin was credited with the goal. Posthumus had the lone helper.
Will Ralston got one back to make it 6-2 deflecting an Owen Grainger shot from the point.
Jack Matsukubo put the game out of reach with his 11th of the season going forehand-backhand on a breakaway to make it 7-2.
The game concluded with a final score of 7-2 with shots 46-34 in favour of Renfrew. It was Nepean’s first ever win over the Renfew Wolves since they moved from Kanata.
Luke Posthumus (2G | 3A) was named the game’s first star. Nicholas Larkin (2G | 1A) was the second star while Tyson Tomasini (1G) captured third star honours.
Jack Matsukubo (1G | 2A) was named the Hardest Working Raider.
Nepean squares off against the Hawkesbury Hawks in a Sunday matinee at the Nepean Sportsplex Steve Yzerman Arena in the final home game of the season for a 2:30pm puck drop.
Be sure to Subscribe, Like and Comment on the official Nepean Raiders YouTube channel and catch every goal.
