by Romano Di Franco
NEPEAN, ON – The Nepean Raiders hosted the Kemptville 73s Sunday afternoon at the Nepean Sportsplex Steve Yzerman Arena . They came into the game off a 5-2 loss to Renfrew while Kemptville entered the game fresh off a 2-1 OT win against the Rockland Nationals. The two teams haven’t faced each other since their Developmental scrimmage game at Jack Charon Arena last December.
After three games the Raiders have scored five goals allowing 17 while Kemptville has scored seven times and given up eight goals against.
Evan Martin got the start in goal for the Raiders while Connor Blackwood got the nod for the 73s. Former Nepean netminder and current starter for Kemptville got the day off after posting a record of 2-1 in his first three starts.
The first good scoring chance of the game went to Nepean as Ryan Iwachniuk pounced on a puck that took a funny slot and found him in the slot. Iwachniuk had a clean shot but was robbed by Blackwood. The Raiders almost capitalized on a short-handed a 2-on-1 opportunity. A sharp Blackwood turned aside the shot. The 73s came right back with a chance of their own hitting the post twice on the two shots. Martin got another break moments later when Kemptville hit the crossbar and again with a minute to go when Kemptville hit the post for the fourth time in the period. The teams exchanged more chances before heading to the dressing rooms after a very even first 20 minutes of play. The shots were 13-10 for Kemptville.
The two teams started the second period the same way the first period ended with both teams exchanging chances. After Martin made an insane stick save Kemptville finally put one into the Nepean goal when Brock Krulicki registered his first of the season to make it 1-0 Kemptville. They made it 2-0 and then 3-0 when Krulicki completed the natural hat-trick in just under six minutes.
The Raiders Powerplay had a 5-on-3 man-advantage but could not capitalize and then got stung when Hunter Brazier scored on a break-away set up by Brock Krulicki. After 40 minutes the 73s had a 4-0 lead and took a commanding 32-16 lead in the shot count.
Coleman Bennet got the Raiders on the board after Evan Beaudry was assessed a double-minor for highsticking. Bennet fired home a pass from Ryan Liverman. Tyler Melvin picked up the other assist. The Raiders then picked up to penalties of their own as Bennett and Adam Cater went to the box 40 seconds apart. Hunter Brazier took advantage of the 5-3 for his second of the game to send Kemptville up 5-1.
The teams exchanged 10-minute misconduct penalties after Ben Lapier was given the boot for a check to the head and Ryan Liverman was assessed an Unsportsmanlike penalty for shooting the puck down the ice after a whistle.
The third period was Nepean’s best as they outshot the 73s 8-7 and defenseman Samuel Beaulne stopped a 4-1 rush by Kempville with about three minutes to go in the game.
Brock Krulicki (3G | 1A) was named the game’s first star. Hunter Brazier (2G | 1A) was the second star. Nepean Raider forward Coleman Bennett (1G) earned the game’s third star.
Evan Martin was named the hardest working Raider stopping 34 of 39 shots including a stick-save that has already booked a spot on the highlight-of-the-year video.
The next game for the Raiders will be held on October 9 as they face the Pembroke Lumber Kings at the Bell Sensplex in Kanata for Day One of the CCHL Showcase for a 4:00pm puck drop.
