by Romano Di Franco
NEPEAN, ON – The Nepean Raiders hosted the Pembroke Lumber Kings at the Nepean Sportsplex Steve Yzerman Arena on Wednesday night. It was the final meeting of the season between the two teams. Nepean has had success against Pembroke this year with a record of 3-1 in the season series.
Ben Forget (9-23-2-1, 3.68 GAA, 0.893 SV%) got the nod in goal for Pembroke while Joshua Branton (1-3, 5.11 GAA, 0.880 SV %) defended the goal for Nepean.
The two teams traded chances in the first but it was Jordan Graham with the best chance for Nepean taking a Brayden Potvin pass and entering the Pembroke zone on a mini breakaway but his deke attempt was blocked by Forget.
After 20 minutes the two teams were scoreless with Nepean outshooting Pembroke 18-8.
The Raiders set the pace in the second period and ended their 147 minute scoring drought on a goal by Shane Moodie who finished a great play by Owen Hardy. Luke Posthumus picked up his 23rd assist on the play.
Posthumus made it 2-0 Nepean after a truly highlight-reel goal where he beat the entire Pembroke team before fooling Forget with a cheeky goal. The goal was officially credited as unassisted but Wade Bolton made the initial pass.
After 40 minutes the Raiders had the lead on the scoreboard as well as in shots outshooting Pembroke 17-9 in the middle frame.
Pembroke tied it up with a pair of goals by Pratt Stetson and Sacha Trudel. The first goal came on a 5-on-3 PowerPlay with Tristan Caldwell (Cross Checking) and Wade Bolton (Roughing) in the box. Trudel’s goal came just as the 5-on-4 PowerPlay had expired.
Nicholas Papineau was the hero for Nepean swatting home a pass from Brandon Reinisch to put Nepean up 3-2. Anthony Rivard had the other helper on the goal.
Pembroke pulled Forget for the extra attacker and it almost paid off early but Cam Hicklin rang a shot from the high slot off the far post. The Lumber Kings were buzzing but Branton made the stop with one second left on the clock to force a faceoff to his right.
Nepean won the faceoff and the game as time expired.
Nicholas Papineau (1G) was named the game’s first star, Brayden Potvin picked up second star honours while Pembroke’s Nick Donaldson (2A) got the nod as the game’s third star.
Joshua Branton (36 saves on 38 shots) was named hardest working Raider as he picked up his second win of the season both against Pembroke.
Nepean’s next game is a Saturday matinee at the Ed Lumley Arena as they face the Cornwall Colts for a 2:00pm puck drop.
Be sure to Subscribe, Like and Comment on the official Nepean Raiders YouTube channel and catch every goal.
