by Romano Di Franco
The Raiders overcame a 2-0 deficit in action on Friday night in their penultimate game of the season. After former Raider Jack Miles opened the scoring 7:17 into the first period, Jack Sullivan added his 23rd of the season.
Nepean answered back with goals by William Venne and Louis Chabot. Chabot tipped in a shot from Zachary Gravel just in front of Rockland goalie Jack McGovern. Colin Cromie, Gravel, and Beau Binnie all had assists in the game.
The Nats then scored three unanswered goals by Matthew Vermaeten, Michael Mercurio, and Simon Labelle. Vermaeten’s game-winning goal was his 30th of the season while Mercurio’s first of the season was the insurance goal.
Rockland outshot Nepean 52-25 which was the ninth time this season that the Raiders have allowed 50 or more shots in the game. The Raiders penalty kill was perfect as they killed off all three man-advantages Rockland had when David Fontaine was in the box for Slashing in the first and Hooking in the second period. Patrick Maule had a Cross Checking penalty in the third.
The Raiders had two PowerPlays of their own but could not capitalize as McGovern slammed the door on them.
Tyler Laureault started in goal for Nepean and turned in a strong performance stopping 47 of the 52 shots he faced for a 0.904 save percentage.
Laureault earned the nod as the game’s third star while Rockland forward Michael Mercurio’s first CCHL goal was awarded the game’s second star while Jack Sullivan was named the first star with 1G and 1A.
The Raiders final game of the season is Saturday, March 7 as they host the Cornwall Colts at the Jack Charron Arena in Kanata for a 6:30pm puck drop.
