by Romano Di Franco
The Nepean Raiders travelled to the Brockville Memorial Centre for the final game of their five game road trip as they met the Brockville Braves who had their last game of the season themselves. For the starting goalies, it was John Gedraitis who got the start for the Nepean Raiders while Zane Spaniol got the call for the Braves.
The first period kicked off with a goal from the Brockville Braves’ Peter Legostaev, giving his team an early lead. However, the Nepean Raiders swiftly responded with a goal from Curtiss Sturgeon, leveling the score and setting the stage for a fierce battle. Sturgeon continued his career year scoring his 19th goal of the season assisted by Owen Colter and Bo Doxtator. It was all Raiders in that first period when they outshot the Brockville Braves 16-11.
As the game progressed into the second period, the Nepean Raiders gained momentum with a goal from Riley Streska, putting them ahead on the scoreboard. Brockville’s best chance in that second period was when Kimani Eccleston made a good pass to Anoushan Mugunthan only to be denied by John Gedraitis who stood tall in that second period. The Raiders continued to fire pucks at Zane Spaniol. The shots on net in that middle period were 15-8 in favor of Nepean.
In the third period, the Nepean Raiders continued to dominate, extending their lead with goals from Oliver Band and Joshua Reid. With time running out, the Brockville Braves fought desperately to stage a comeback, but their efforts were thwarted by the Nepean Raiders’ solid defense. Nepean was even awarded a penalty shot when Nicholas Papineau was hauled down by Eccleston. The Gatineau Quebec native was denied by Spaniol.
In the final moments of the game, Riley Streska sealed the victory for the Nepean Raiders with his second goal of the night, securing a decisive win for his team. The final score stood at 5-1 in favor of the Nepean Raiders, solidifying their position as the victors of this epic clash.
Throughout the game, both teams displayed incredible skill and sportsmanship, earning the respect and admiration of fans and spectators. From spectacular goals to impressive saves, the players showcased the very best of hockey, making for an unforgettable matchup.
As the final buzzer sounded, the Nepean Raiders emerged triumphant, celebrating a well-deserved victory over the Brockville Braves. With this impressive win under their belts, the Nepean Raiders continue to solidify their reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the world of hockey.
Nepean’s final game of the season is on Sunday when the Renfrew Wolves come to town at the Nepean Sportsplex Steve Yzerman Arena for a 2:30PM puck drop.
