by G.J. the sportsguy
Wednesday evening was a night the 73’s won’t prepared for as the Bears of Smiths Falls went in to a feeding frenzy as they devoured their opponents with 6 to 1 victory. Smiths Falls were totally prepared to shutdown the free wheeling Kemptville with strong, heavy, punishing zone fore-checks to keep the 73’s outside. Along with the numerous give-aways from Kemptville and the hot hand of the Bears stopping power they made a statement early with three markers in the first nine minutes.
Smiths Falls took advantage of Kemptville’s mistakes when Hamady assisted Trevor Faucher to put it through Jacob Biron five hole at :25 to open the first. Game winner from Watson to Lucas Culhane for top shelf count at 8:27 to make the hole deeper for the 73’s. Second goal for Trevor Facher from Hamady into the five hole at 9:01 for the insurance and retire Jacob Biron to put Kemptville behind by three. Fennell held the line onto Logue tape to a determined Tyler Melvin on the doorstep to spoil Dawson Labre shut-out with a buzzer point at 19:59.
Smiths Falls Bears continued to feast on their prey into the middle frame as Julien Wasmer with helpers from Dimaline with James to put it behind Dax Easter to make it a 4 point deficit at 12:11.. Another handout from the 73’s for Dimaline combination with Owen Watson at 15:37 for a 5 to 1 walk in the park.
Final twenty from Heron with Booth so Travis Oulette could pull the trigger at 16:05 to stop the bleeding with a 6 to 1 win and place Kemptville in a precarious playoff position. Kemptville outshot Smiths Falls 29 to 23 with 0/3 PP to 0/1 PP.
Sunday matinee was yet another disappointment for Kemptville when they encountered the high flying Canadians of Carleton Place on their home turf running with a five win stretch and would increase it with a 3 to 1 victory. First frame was a see-saw battle with both teams looking for a opportunity to claim opening goal. A combination of Bouwer with Thomas Enrietto directed one by Jacob Biron to put the Canadians on the board at 2:15. Kemptville countered with Shaw finding Tyler Melvin in the slot to put the bun in the basket past Ian Vandenberg at 14:09 to knot it at one.
Second go-around Kemptville were in attack mode, but were shutdown by a stellar stopper to keep the twenty scoreless. Last period Carleton Place came on strong with Noah Kinloch Varge assisted from Enrietto with Mathews for the tie breaker game winner at 19:34. Kemptville removed Jacob Biron at 19:44 for the extra man and the Canadians capitalized with the insurance from Soloway to Noah Kinloch Varge second mark at 19:54. Carleton Place outgunned Kemptville 40 to 32 with 0/5 PP and 0/3 PP.
Unfortunately, your 73’s fell short of a playoff birth, but the Kemptville 73’s want to extend their appreciation for all fans, sponsors and the fantastic team of volunteers that helps keep the machine running smooth during the season.
Hockey with EDGE…see you next year!
