Stockdale’s big day ruins solid Raider effort

Bennett Stockdale had a hat trick to propel the visiting Kanata Lasers to a 4-2 win over the Nepean Raiders on Sun.

Stockdale, a Nepean-native, scored a goal in all three periods including an empty-netter to put the game to bed.

Laser defenceman Liam Markhauser provided the other Kanata goal.

Liam Souliere was busy on the afternoon, stopping 45 of 48 shots. It marked the ninth time Souliere faced over 40 shots in a game this season.

Forward Antoine Belisle led the way offensively for Nepean something he’s done since the Dec. departures of Malcolm Arseneau  (Pembroke) and Kari Belec (Hawkesbury). The forward added a goal and assisted on Liam Stagg’s first period tally.

The game proved to be a chippy affair with five players given an early shower by the referees. Kanata’s Connor Sleeth and Connor Rider were both ejected for hits to the head while defenceman JJ Boucher was sent off for cross-checking.

For Nepean, Davis Browning and James Buckley were sent off in the third period for slashing and unsportsmanlike conduct.

Laser forward Chad Merrell, a thorn in the Raiders’ side all year, added two assists. Merrell now has nine points in five games against Nepean this season.

Raider defenceman Noah Rowe required some dental work after an errant high stick left him with a chipped front tooth midway through the third. Searches for his tooth proved to be unsuccessful.

This loss brings the Nepean Raiders’ record to 17-30-2-4. They’ll host Pembroke on Wed.