by Romano Di Franco
The Nepean Raiders traveled to the Rockland CIHA Arena – 1 to visit the Rockland Nationals following a week off against the Brockville Braves. For the starting goalies it was John Gedraitis who was fantastic a week ago against Brockville who earned the start. Sebastien Resar got the nod in goal for Brockville.
Scoring Plays
The game began with a scoreless first period, where both teams showcased solid defensive efforts. The scoreboard remained untouched until the second period, where Guillaume Labre of the Rockland Nationals seized the opportunity. At 1:30 into the period, Labre netted the lone goal of the game, assisted by Mathis Bedard and Alex Kelloway. The goal turned out to be the decider, securing the Nationals’ lead and ultimately the win.
Shots on Goal
The shot differentials throughout the game highlighted the goaltenders’ exceptional performances. Nepean Raiders faced an onslaught in the first period, with the Rockland Nationals registering 18 shots compared to Nepean’s 4. However, the Raiders managed to tighten their defense in the subsequent periods, limiting the Nationals to 10 shots in the second and 7 in the third. Despite a commendable effort, Nepean Raiders couldn’t find the back of the net, ending the game with 19 shots against Rockland’s 35.
Penalty Frenzy
The intensity of the matchup spilled over into the penalty box, with both teams racking up infractions. The Nepean Raiders faced a total of 21 penalty minutes on 5 infractions, including a game misconduct for Mario Scalise. The Rockland Nationals accrued 23 penalty minutes on 6 infractions, with Michael Mumm also receiving a game misconduct.
Three Stars of the Game
- John Gedraitis (Nepean Raiders) – 1st Star: The goaltender for the Nepean Raiders put on a stellar performance, facing 35 shots and making 34 saves throughout the game.
- Sebastian Resar (Rockland Nationals) – 2nd Star: Resar, the goaltender for the Rockland Nationals, earned the second star with a perfect performance, making 19 saves and securing the shutout.
- Guillaume Labre (Rockland Nationals) – 3rd Star: Labre’s goal in the second period proved to be the game-winner, earning him the third star of the night.
Conclusion
The Friday night clash between the Rockland Nationals and Nepean Raiders will be remembered as a hard-fought battle, with both teams showcasing resilience and determination. Guillaume Labre’s second-period goal and the exceptional goaltending performances from Sebastian Resar and John Gedraitis made this game a standout event in the hockey season. As the Rockland Nationals celebrate their victory, the Nepean Raiders will undoubtedly analyze this close contest to come back stronger in future matchups.
Nepean’s next game will be on February 18th against the Carleton Place Canadiens at the Nepean Sportsplex Steve Yzerman Arena. It will be Game One of their home and home stand with another one happening on Monday in Carleton Place.
