Raiders Face Season-High 59 Shots in Loss to SF

by Romano Di Franco

SMITHS FALLS, ON – The Nepean Raiders wrapped up a very busy month of February as they hosted the Smiths Falls Bears at the Nepean Sportsplex – Steve Yzerman Arena.

It was fourth meetings between the two teams with Smiths Falls holding a 1-2 advantage after the home team had come away victorious in the previous three games.

Dawson Labre (5-6, 3.12 GAA, 0.912 SV%) was in goal for Smiths Falls while Luca Sandu (3-7, 4.16 GAA, 0.897 SV%) got the start between the pipes for Nepean.

Thomas Gangl opened up the scoring with his 12th of the season blasting a rebound from the high slot through traffic and past Sandu. They made it 2-0 when Sean James got his league-leading 35th of the season beating the Nepean netminder high over the blocker.

The first 20 minutes saw the visitors ahead after outshooting Nepean 20-12.

Riley Thompson made it 3-0 on the PowerPlay with Wade Bolton in the box for Roughing. After taking the puck to the net he jammed the puck home after Sandu made the initial stop. Thomas Haynes made it 4-0 beating Sandu with a shot from the left faceoff dot. The Nepean keeper was not able to track the shot as he was screened on the play.

The Bears got two more goals in the span of 20 seconds as the line of Kyle Dagg, Alex McIntosh and Finnegan Kilmurray combined for six points with Dagg scoring twice

After 40 minutes the Bears were way out in front holding a commanding 6-0 lead and outshooting Nepean 23-7 in the middle frame.

Conor Ronayne added one more to make it a 7-0 final as the Raiders’ netminders Sandu and Joshua Branton faced a season high 59 shots.

Kyle Dagg(2G) was named the game’s first star Sean James (1G | 2A) nabbed the second star while Dawson Labre (32 saves on 32 shots) captured third star honours for his shutout performance.

Owen Hardy was named Hardest Working Raider for having the team’s best scoring chances.

Nepean will be back in action as they open up their March schedule with a game against the Pembroke Lumber Kings on Wednesday at the Nepean Sportsplex – Steve Yzerman Arena for a 7:30 pm puck drop.

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