by Romano Di Franco
The Nepean Raiders began their season-opening three game home-stand by hosting the Renfrew Wolves. For the starting goalies, John Gedraitis who was great in the Raiders final pre-season game got the start in goal for Nepean. Meanwhile the Wolves went with Nick Kurtiak.
Renfrew got on the board first when the Wolves leading scorer from last year in Kyle Cameron wired a shot the went over the shoulder of John Gedraitis and in. Nolan DeFazio and Sam Glover got the assists.
Nepean responded with a goal of their own when Carter Williamson scored a great tap in to tie the game at one. Nicholas Larkin and Luka Benoit contributed to the marker.
The Raiders outshot the Wolves 15-12 and more importantly Gedraitis was fantastic in goal for Nepean in that first period.
Twenty nine seconds into the second period, Jack Yates capitalized on a bad giveaway from Nick Kurtiak. His goal was his first of the season and that one was unassisted.
Nepean continued to pour the pressure on the Renfrew Wolves when Carter Williamson taped home his second goal of the season. Not only did Luka Benoit assist on the goal again, but Raphael Tellier drew his first point as a Raider following his Bogart Championship season with the Rockland Nationals last season.
The Raiders outshot Renfrew 11-7 in the second period. Although John Gedraitis wasn’t tested very much in the second period, he was marvelous in the second period stopping all seven shots.
A minute and twenty nine seconds into the third period, the Wolves made this a one goal game when Sebastien Dzieciol scored his first career CCHL goal assisted from Sam Glover and Tal Stevenson.
Later on in third period, Renfrew thought they scored the game tying goal but couldn’t beat the goal post.
Nepean would then close out the scoring when Carter Williamson completed the hat-trick ending any hopes of the Wolves making a comeback.
The Raiders would hang on to win by a final score of 4-2.
The three star selection are as follows, having scored the hat-trick it is no surprise that Carter Williamson had garnered the first star for Nepean. With the only other goal scored in the game belong to Jack Yates, he earned the second star for the Raiders.. Last but not least, with two assists, Sam Glover was named the third star for the Renfrew Wolves.
The story of the game has to be the Raiders penalty killing. They were an amazing four for five on the penalty kill. Nepean is hoping to continue the great work ethic shown in tonight’s game.
Nepean’s next game will take place on Sunday September 21st when the Cornwall Colts come to town. The Raiders are hoping to go 2-0 on the season.
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