by Romano Di Franco
The Nepean Raiders faced off against the Smiths Falls Bears in Game 5 of their season. It was another thrilling contest in which the Smiths Falls Bears secured a 5-4 victory in a high-scoring contest.
For the second consecutive game it was Brady McEwen getting the start between the pipes for the Raiders while Dawson Labre who is off to a solid start this year got the call for the Bears.
The first period saw both teams finding the back of the net. Nolan DeFazio opened the scoring for the Nepean Raiders at 9:19, assisted by Dylan Paron and Carson McGurn. The Smiths Falls Bears responded with a goal from Shaymus Stevenson at 17:51, with Matthew Dimaline providing the assist. The period ended with a 1-1 tie.
In the second period, the Smiths Falls Bears took the lead with goals from Alex McIntosh at 6:40 and Matthew Dimaline on the power play at 9:35, assisted by Matthew Martin-Gaudreault and Trevor Faucher. The Nepean Raiders pulled one back as Lleyton McLean scored on the power play at 13:13, assisted by Nick Sinani and Joshua Reid. The Bears led 3-2 heading into the final period. It was McLean’s first goal against his former team.
The third period was action-packed. Matthew Dimaline extended the Bears’ lead at 7:15, assisted by Matthew Martin-Gaudreault and Alex McIntosh. Joshua Reid of the Nepean Raiders scored on the power play at 12:42, with Marty Magaletta providing the assist. Nick Sinani brought the Raiders within one at 15:15, assisted by Lleyton McLean and Curtiss Sturgeon. However, Alec Hamady sealed the victory for the Smiths Falls Bears with a goal at 17:41, assisted by Shaymus Stevenson and Trevor Faucher.
Both teams incurred penalties throughout the game, with the Nepean Raiders going 2 for 3 on the power play and the Smiths Falls Bears going 1 for 3. The physicality of the game resulted in a total of 22 penalty minutes assessed.
The three stars of the game were awarded to Matthew Dimaline of the Smiths Falls Bears (2 goals, 2 assists), Lleyton McLean of the Nepean Raiders (1 goal, 1 assist), and Alex McIntosh of the Smiths Falls Bears (1 goal, 1 assist).
In the end, the Smiths Falls Bears secured a 5-4 victory in a high-scoring and competitive game against the Nepean Raiders.
The Raiders are back in action Sunday October 1st as they welcome the Brockville Braves for a 2:30pm puck-drop.