by Romano Di Franco
The CCHL Showcase continued with a tilt between the Pembroke Lumber Kings and the Nepean Raiders, with the Nepean Raiders coming out on top with a 3-1 victory.
The opening period saw no scoring from either team, as both goaltenders stood tall against the early offensive onslaught. The Pembroke Lumber Kings managed to put five shots on starting goalie Brady McEwan, while the Nepean Raiders had ten attempts on Philip Rondina.
In the second period, the Nepean Raiders broke the deadlock with a goal by Marty Magaletta at 17:34. It was his second goal of the Showcase and it marked the only goal of the period, as both teams engaged in a competitive battle on the ice. The shot count favored the Lumber Kings in the second, with 12 shots compared to the Raiders’ 8.
The Nepean Raiders extended their lead in the third period, with Nick Houben scoring at 2:16 and then again with an empty-net short-handed goal at 17:25. The Lumber Kings managed to get on the board late in the period when Lucas Legault scored at 19:08. However, it was not enough to mount a comeback.
Both teams were equally disciplined, each receiving four penalties in the game, resulting in power-play opportunities. Despite these power plays, neither team managed to capitalize on the man advantage.
Three Stars:
- Nick Houben (Nepean Raiders): Houben was the first star of the game, contributing with two crucial goals that helped secure the win for the Raiders.
- Lucas Legault (Pembroke Lumber Kings): Legault was the second star of the game for his goal that got the Lumber Kings on the scoreboard.
- Brady McEwan (Nepean Raiders): McEwan was named the third star of the game for his solid performance in goal, making 29 saves on 30 shots.
The Nepean Raiders’ strong offensive performance and solid goaltending led them to a 3-1 victory over the Pembroke Lumber Kings in this thrilling matchup. It was a hard-fought game that showcased the skill and determination of both teams.
The Raiders close out the CCHL Showcase against the Carleton Place Canadians at the Richcraft SensPlex with an early 10:45am puck drop.
