by Romano Di Franco
The Nepean Raiders welcomed the Kemptville 73s for Game 2 of their seven game homestand at the Nepean Sportsplex Steve Yzerman Arena. Nepean came into this game aiming to pick right up where they left off. For the starting goalies Brady McEwen made his fifth consecutive start for the Raiders and Jacob Biron got the nod for the 73s.
First Period Fireworks:
The opening period set the stage for an exciting contest, with both teams displaying their offensive capabilities. Nepean Raiders drew first blood just 1:35 into the game when Peter Freel found the back of the net with an assist from Curtiss Sturgeon. It was his seventh goal of the season. However, it was former Raider Tyler Melvin who scored three goals in the first period. One on the powerplay and the last two were short-handed.
Mid-game Momentum:
The second period saw Emile Trottier extend Kemptville’s lead with a shorthanded goal at the 16:15 mark, assisted by Grady Logue. That proved to be the only goal of the period as it was 4-1 for the 73s.
Late Drama in the Third:
As the game progressed into the third period, the Nepean Raiders sought a comeback. Nick Houben managed to narrow the gap with a deflection goal at 3:18, but Kemptville’s Emile Trottier quickly responded with his second goal of the night at 6:46.
Despite a late power-play goal by Mario Scalise for the Nepean Raiders at 14:13, Kemptville sealed the victory with a final goal by Matthew O’Doherty at 19:22, assisted by Emile Trottier.
Penalty Box Action:
The physicality of the game was evident in the penalty statistics. Both teams engaged in spirited play, resulting in a total of 13 penalties throughout the game. Notable infractions included high sticking, spearing, slashing, tripping, holding, and hooking.
Three Stars of the Game:
- First Star: Tyler Melvin (Kemptville 73’s): With an impressive hat-trick, Melvin’s offensive contributions proved crucial to Kemptville’s success.
- Second Star: Emile Trottier (Kemptville 73’s): Trottier’s two goals and one assist showcased his well-rounded performance and impact on the game.
- Third Star: Mario Scalise (Nepean Raiders): Despite the loss, Scalise’s goal and assist demonstrated his offensive capabilities and resilience.
The Kemptville 73’s celebrated a well-deserved victory, showcasing their offensive prowess and effective penalty killing. The game served as a testament to the competitive spirit and skill of both teams, leaving fans eager for their next encounter on the ice.
Nepean’s next game will be held on Sunday December 17th when the Smiths Falls Bears come to town for a 2:30PM puck drop as well as Game 3 for their seven game homestand.
