by Romano Di Franco
The Nepean Raiders welcomed the Hawkesbury Hawks to the Nepean Sportsplex Steve Yzerman Arena for Game 2 of their home and home series as well as the start of their season long seven game homestand. For the second time in as many games, Brady McEwen got the start for Nepean and Caleb Chabot was in goal this time around for the Hawks.
Scoring Breakdown:
1st Period: The first goal of the game came at the 12:56 mark, courtesy of Nepean Raiders’ forward Kendel Geier. Geier’s precise shot found the back of the net, giving his team an early lead that they would maintain throughout the period.
2nd Period: The Hawkesbury Hawks responded in the second period, with Wyatt Schmidek scoring at the 9:00 mark, assisted by Alex Fournier who celebrated his 20th birthday. The period saw solid defensive plays from both sides, leaving the score tied at 1-1.
3rd Period: The Nepean Raiders dominated the third period, securing the win with three unanswered goals. Dylan Paron netted his second goal of the season at 6:53, followed by Owen Hardy at 12:15 and Nolan DeFazio at 18:38, who sealed the victory with an empty-net goal.
Shots on Goal: The teams were evenly matched in terms of shots on goal, with both the Hawkesbury Hawks and Nepean Raiders recording 26 shots throughout the game. The goaltenders, Brady McEwan for Nepean Raiders and his counterpart Caleb Chabot for Hawkesbury Hawks, displayed remarkable skills in turning away scoring attempts.
Penalty Box Drama: Both teams experienced penalty trouble, with each side receiving five power-play opportunities. The penalty kill units were effective, and the game remained tightly contested throughout.
Three Stars of the Game:
- Brady McEwan (Nepean Raiders): McEwan, the goaltender for Nepean Raiders, earned the first star with an outstanding performance. He faced 26 shots, saving 25 and maintaining a solid presence between the pipes.
- Nolan DeFazio (Nepean Raiders): DeFazio’s contribution was crucial, earning him the second star. He not only found the back of the net but also provided an assist, showcasing his offensive prowess.
- Kendel Geier (Nepean Raiders): Geier secured the third star with a goal, displaying offensive flair and contributing to his team’s success.
The Nepean Raiders’ victory solidifies their position in the league, while the Hawkesbury Hawks will look to bounce back in their upcoming games. This matchup will undoubtedly be remembered as a clash of titans, showcasing the intensity and excitement that hockey fans crave.
Nepean’s homestand continues with a Wednesday night game against the Kemptville 73s for a 7:30PM puck drop.
