by Romano Di Franco
CORNWALL, ON – The Nepean Raiders played their last game of the season on a rare Saturday afternoon puck drop against the Cornwall Colts at the Ed Lumley Arena. The game was a must-win for the Bears as they are battling the Rockland Nationals for the final playoff spot.
The Raiders have a record of 3-1 against the Colts including wins in their first three meetings. The Colts had the upper hand in their previous meeting with a convincing 8-1 victory back on March 20.
Nathan Loisel (5-14-1, 0.883 SV%, 4.84 GAA) got the start in the net for Nepean while Emile Savoie (3-11, 0.898 SV%, 3.36 GAA) was between the pipes for Cornwall.
Cornwall AP Jacob Knickle opened the scoring with his second CCHL goal, a wrist shot over the glove of Loisel, to give the Colts a 1-0 lead. Anastasios Lazardis made a brilliant pass to Knickle all alone in the slot. Brayden Bowen made it 2-0 from close range with a shot past a sliding Loisel.
Nepean cut the lead in half after Nolan Mozer pocketed his second of the year. Mozer’s shot from the point went through traffic and slipped through the five-hole.
After 20 minutes the Colts had a 2-1 lead while outshooting the Raiders 8-7.
There was no scoring in the second period but Nepean dominated the play outshooting Cornwall in the second 21-8. The Raiders had the better-quality chances as well with Samuel Beaulne and Ryan Liverman coming close.
Zachary Lefebvre tied the game at 2-2 after Tyler Melvin won a faceoff in the Colts’ zone. The puck went back to Rylan Iwachniuk who took a shot from the blue line that Lefebvre tipped over Savoie’s blocker.
Kale MacCormick got the go-ahead goal for Cornwall giving them the 3-2 lead.
The Raiders pulled Loisel for the extra attacker but it was Rookie-of-the-Year Keanu Krenn who scored to put the game away for Cornwall.
Kale MacCormick (1G | 1A | 1F) was named the game’s first star powered by his Gordie Howe Hat-trick, Tyler Melvin (2A) got the nod as second star. Colts’ goalie Emile Savoie (40 saves on 42 shots) earned the third star.
Nolan Mozer (1G) was named the hardest working Raider.
With that, the Raiders conclude their 2021-2022 season. Watch nepeanraiders.com over the next few weeks for highlight videos of many Raiders players.
