by Romano Di Franco
ROCKLAND, ON – The Nepean Raiders made the short trek to Rockland CIHA – Arena 1 to take on the Rockland Nationals. It is the fourth meeting of the season between the two teams with the Nats leading the season series 2-1.
Nathan Loisel (4-6, 0.886 SV%, 4. 05 GAA) got the start between the pipes for Nepean while Charles Schenkel (0-1, 0.875 SV%, 2.40 GAA) got the start in the net for Rockland.
Rockland opened the scoring after William Collins got his tenth of the season beating Loisel over the glove side. That was all the scoring in the first period. Ryan Liverman had the best chance for Nepean taking the puck down the left side and around the defence but was denied by Schenkel. The score remained 1-0 as the period drew to a close with Rockland outshooting Nepean 17-6.
Yanic Crête extended the Rockland lead to 2-0 with a wrist-shot over Loisel’s blocker. Owen Hollingsworth cut the lead in half after Tyler Melvin won a faceoff in the Nationals end and dished to Hollingsworth who sent a harmless looking shot on the Rockland goal that beat Schenkel to make it 2-1. Chase Campeau was in front of the net providing the screen.
Yanic Crête’s second of the game put Rockland up 3-1 and then John Mulvihill and Dean Taylor added goals to make it 5-1.
Ryan Liverman was awarded a penalty shot after going in on a breakaway and getting his stick hacked. His penalty shot was blocked and the score remained 5-1.
After 40 minutes the Nationals were in control and outshot the Raiders 19-10 to take the overall lead in shots 36-16.
Anthony Rivard added a PowerPlay goal in the third deflecting a Zachary Lefebvre past Schenkel to make it 5-2. Ryan Liverman had the other helper. They made it interesting adding another goal about a minute and a half later. Todd Northgrave’s shot from the point went through the five-hole to close the gap to 5-3. Nolan Mozer and Zachary Lefebvre were also in on the goal.
The game got a whole lot more interesting when Hugo Marcil took a Tripping penalty to send the Raiders back on the PowerPlay. The Raiders had their chances but the came up empty. The Raiders then took a Too Many Men penalty and Rockland capitalized as Gabriel Filion scored to make it a 6-3 final. Shots on goal were 44-27 in favor of Rockland.
Yanic Crête (2G) was named the game’s first star, William Collins (1G | 2A) got the nod as second star. Raiders forward Ryan Liverman (1G) was named third star.
Zachary Lefebvre (2A) was named the hardest working Raider.
The Raiders continue their busy March schedule back at the Nepean Sportsplex Steve Yzerman Arena on Sunday afternoon as they host the Renfrew for a 2:30pm puck drop.
