by Romano Di Franco
NEPEAN, ON – The Nepean Raiders faced the Rockland Nationals in the back-half of a home-and-home series between the two teams. Rockland skated away with a 3-1 victory two nights earlier and take a 2-0 lead in the season series.
Ben Grahame (3-2, 3.56 GAA, 0.881 SV%) got the start between the pipes for Rockland while Nepean re-called Jordan Provost (0-0, 0.00 GAA, 0.000 SV%) from the Ottawa West Golden Knights to defend the net for the Raiders.
Nepean has been pretty successful this year scoring first having done it in 11 of their first 19 games so far this season. Luke Posthumus improved that record to 12-in20. Brayden Potin’s pass deflected off of Harris Hilfiker’s skate right to Posthumus who made no mistake with a wrist shot that eluded Grahame.
After 20 minutes Nepean held a 1-0 lead with both teams managing 12 shots at the opposing net.
Shane Moodie gave the Raiders a 2-0 lead on a blast from the point that deflected off the stick of Rockland defenceman Yan Gaudreau and found the back of the net. Owen Hardy and Luke Posthumus had the helpers.
Rockland battled back with a pair of goals just 73 seconds apart at the midway point of the second to erase the Raiders lead as tied the game at 2-2. The first goal saw Nepean netminder Jordan Provost get a piece of the puck with his glove but it fluttered past and into the back of the net. Provost got a bigger chunk of the puck on the second goal but it trickled ever so slowly across the line just as Provost attempted to reach back in an attempt to smother the puck.
Tyler Melvin got his eighth goal of the season on the PowerPlay after Bradley Leblanc went off for Hooking. Melvin circled with the puck to the blue line and threw the puck on goal as both Joshua Reid and Jordan Graham were parked in front of the net completely screening Ben Grahame. The harmless looking shot from the point bulged the twine to restore the lead for Nepean at 3-2.
As the second period came to an end it was Nepean ahead on the scoreboard despite being outshot in the period 26-12.
Former Raider Samuel Beaulne tied the game once again for Rockland at 3-3 but it was Jordan Graham scoring the game winner on his first of the season one-timing a pass by Anthony Rivard from Gretzky’s office. Tyler Melvin had the other assist.
Tyler Melvin added an empty-netter to take the team lead in goals at 9 on the season. Coleman Bennett got the helper on the insurance goal.
The final was 5-3 for the Raiders who were outshot 49-39 in the game.
Nepean netminder Jordan Provost (46 saves on 49 shots) was named the game’s first star. Tyler Melvin (2G | 1A) was the second star on 39 shots) earned the second star while Patrick Lanthier (0G | 0A) picked up the game’s third star.
Shane Moodie (1G) is named the Hardest Working Raider after picking up his first CCHL goal.
Nepean will close out their November schedule on Wednesday as they host the Navan Grads at the Nepean Sportsplex – Yzerman Arena for a 7:30pm puck drop.
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