by Romano Di Franco
The Nepean Raiders went to the Carleton Place Arena Rink 1 to play out the second game of their home and home stand. Nepean came into the game continuing their success from yesterday’s game while Carleton Place wanted to get some redemption. For the starting goalies it was Brady McEwen who got the start 24 hours after their victory on Sunday and for the Canadiens it was Ian Vandenburg who was in goal.
First Period: Canadians Set the Tone
The Carleton Place Canadians wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Bill Gourgon scoring just 2 minutes and 33 seconds into the game. Assisted by Caton Ryan and Will Soloway, Gourgon’s early goal set a tone of aggression for the Canadians. Later in the period, at the 17:01 mark, Will Soloway extended the lead with another goal, assisted by Ryan and Gourgon. Perhaps the best scoring chance for the Raiders in that first period was when Nicolas Papineau had Ian Vandenburg beat, but all he found was iron.
Second Period: Raiders Respond, but Canadians Extend Lead
The Nepean Raiders managed to get on the scoreboard in the second period, with Brandon Reinisch finding the net at 16:34. It was Reinisch’s ninth goal of the season. Nicolas Papineau and Curtiss Sturgeon drew the assists. Despite this response, the Canadians continued their offensive onslaught, with Caton Ryan scoring at 16:04 and Bill Gourgon adding another power-play goal at 19:25. The period ended with the Canadians holding a comfortable 4-1 lead.
Third Period: Defensive Battle
The third period saw no additional scoring, as both teams focused on tightening their defensive efforts. The goaltenders on both sides made crucial saves to prevent any further goals.
Standout Performances and Three Stars
Caton Ryan of the Carleton Place Canadians was the standout player of the game, earning the first star with one goal and three assists. Will Soloway secured the second star with one goal and two assists, contributing significantly to the Canadian’s offensive success. On the Nepean Raiders’ side, Dylan Pollock earned the third star for his defensive efforts, although he couldn’t find the scoresheet.
Penalties Galore
Penalties played a significant role in the game, with both teams spending considerable time in the sin bin. The referees handed out a total of 25 penalties throughout the game, showcasing the physical and competitive nature of the matchup.
Looking Ahead
The Carleton Place Canadians will surely carry the momentum from this victory into their upcoming games, while the Nepean Raiders will look to regroup and bounce back in their next matchup. As the season progresses, both teams will aim to solidify their positions in the standings, and fans can expect more thrilling and competitive hockey action. This is the last game for these two teams of the regular season.
Nepean will have Tuesday off before going to the Pembroke Memorial Centre to visit the Pembroke Lumber Kings for makeup game that would have taken place on December 3rd.
