by Romano Di Franco

The Nepean Raiders opened their 2026-27 season with the first of five pre-season games by hosting the Kemptville 73s. It was the first game of the exhibition portion for these two teams. Instead of taking place at the Steve Yzerman Arena of the Nepean Sportsplex the game took place on Rink 3.

For the starting goalies. Evan Grant who split last year with the Raiders and the Ottawa Junior Senators got the start in goal for Nepean and Cesare Lucas Della Santina was in goal for the visiting 73s.

Nepean got things going by opening the scoring from Alex Thompson’s first goal of the pre-season. Lucas Leblanc got the assist and that was the only goal scored of the period for Nepean.

Evan Grant was perfect in the first period stopping all 12 shots in that frame alone.

The 73s tied the game at one when Isaac Arsenault hit the goal post but Owen Downey put the rebound in.

Having stopped 20 of the 21 shots on goal, Evan Grant would be replaced by Andrew Shimon.

That goaltending change seemed to agree with the Nepean Raiders as Ryan Kinghan scored to help the Raiders regain the lead again. Cole Stants and Noah Bath got the assists.

In the third period, Lucas Leblanc fired a canon of a shot to help Nepean extend the lead to two. This also set the stage for a wild frame ahead!

On what seemed like a nothing play, Julian Melo helped the 73s within one. Nepean still had a lead to enjoy of 3-2.

That deficit for Kemptville would not last as Nepean scored to extend their lead to two again when Ryan English made it 4-2. Lincoln Baker and Cameron White drew the assisits.

The ending to the game featured three separate brawls including a wrestling match with Isaac Arsenault and Sidney Bellfoy.

It didn’t matter so much as the Raiders won the game by a final score of 4-2. Great way to kick start the pre-season!

Nepean’s next game will take place Wednesday September 2nd when the Navan Grads come to town.

Be sure to subscribe to the Raiders official YouTube channel!