by Romano Di Franco
The Nepean Raiders welcomed the Ottawa Junior Senators to the Nepean Sportsplex Steve Yzerman for the first meeting featuring the cross town rivals.
For the starting goalies Brady McEwen got the call in goal after getting the game off on Sunday against the Kemptville 73s while the Junior Senators went with Connor Shibley in the net. This was Shibley’s third game with the team this season following a short two game stint with the Jersey Hitmen of the NCDC League.
The goalies in the first period have been outstanding in goal with McEwen and Shibley making some impressive saves for either side. Perhaps McEwen’s biggest save in that period was when he stopped the puck on a great scoring chance Brandon Paluszak who knocked one out of mid-air. The only penalty that was issued in that period was Paluszak when he went off for slashing. Nepean would out-shoot the Junior Senators 15-12.
The first goal of the game occurred 56 seconds into the second period when Ben Albright scored on the powerplay with Chase Yanni and former Nepean Raider Jordan Graham supplying the assists. Yanni would extend the lead to 2-0 with Justin Murdoch and Michael Gallary having the helpers. In that middle frame, it was the Junior Senators that outshot the Raiders 12-8.
Nepean would cut the lead in half when Curtiss Sturgeon capitalized on a give away by Ben Albright. The Russell Ontario native now has three goals in the last four game continuing his red-hot play in the last week.
Ottawa would restore the two goal lead when Lucas Leblanc scored on a long lead pass to Justin Murdoch who got his second point of the game. The last two goals for the Junior Senators came from Lucas Staresinic.
Despite the Nepean Raiders outshooting the Junior Senators 13-11 in the final frame and 36-35 overall, their five game winning streak came to an end and are hoping to start a new one.
Nepean’s next game will be on Friday October 27th when they visit the Rockland Nationals at the Rockland Arena Pad 1. Also, their next home game will be on Sunday October 29th when the Renfrew Wolves come to town.
