Raiders Comeback Falls Short in 4-3 Loss to Kemptville

by Romano Di Franco

The Nepean Raiders welcomed the Kemptville 73s to the Nepean Sportsplex Steve Yzerman Arena for their Wednesday night matchup. The Raiders came into this game fresh-off a 3-1 victory over the Ottawa Junior Senators. Meanwhile, the 73s were coming off a tough 2-1 loss to the Pembroke Lumber Kings.

For the starting goalies, Otsirakatste Brant got the start in goal for the Raiders where as Rylan Donovan was in goal for the 73s .

The Nepean Raiders would poor the pressure on the Kemptville 73s throughout the first period as they would outshoot the 73s 16-9. The only goal in the period was from Deklyn Campbell who responded with his 11th goal of the season. The goal was unassisted.

The second period saw both teams exchanging goals. First of all, Nicholas Bennett scored his seventh goal of the season assisted from Aidan Stubbings and Franco Canevari. Kemptville would take the lead when Alexis Beaulieu scored his first goal of the season. Nicolas Bennet and Franco Canevari assisted on the marker. Each tallied their second point of this game.

The Raiders would tied the game at two when Connor Dickey fired home his first career CCHL goal. The only assist came from John Lumsden who now his 20 assists on the season.

The 73s would regain the lead when Aidan Stubbings scored on the rebound from Nicolas Bennett who has his third point of the game. The lead would not last long as with five seconds left to go in the second period, Tristan Konobelj scored his fourth goal of the season.

Once again it was the Raiders who outshot the 73s. This time it was by a narrow margin of 15-14.

The only goal in the third period was from Nicolas Bennet and that proved to be the game winning goal. Notably, Nicolas Bennett was on the ice for all the goals.

Despite Nepean’s best efforts which included three hit goal posts, the Raiders fell just short of completing the comeback.