by G.J. the sportsguy
After suffering four straight loses, Kemptville was jammed and juiced to turn things around as they faced the second place Carleton Place Canadians for a Friday evening battle in front of 365 fans that was determined in OT for a 2 to 1 comeback for the 73’s.
First frame with end to end excitement as Kemptville dominated the opposition zone without success to close out the twenty scoreless.
Carleton Place’s game plan to dump and chase came to fruition with a power play when Culley to Ryan to punch it at the net and Will Soloway PPG tip it over Jacob Biron to strike first at 18:27 in the second.
The combination of O’Doherty going to the dance with partner Logue to find Ty Whyte on the flank to dive it home past Ian Vandenberg at 15:45 to put Kemptville on the board. Last twenty miler remained knotted to force OT.
Thomas quarterbacked the penetration of the zone up the half wall to Whyte onto the tape of Emile Trottier perched outside the blue paint to give the 73’s a 2 to 1 win at 4:27.
Kemptville outgunned their opponent 38 to 23 with 0/3 PP to 1/5.
The 73’s coach stated it was a must needed win after good week of practice where they focused on forecheck, defense, staying on point with purpose when falling behind. Pushing back when behind a goal to obtain a win.
A road Sunday matinee into Nepean to challenge the Raiders saw Kemptville play catch up hockey only to fall short in OT with a 6 to 5 deficit.
Kemptville drew first blood when the attack from Logue with Whyte caught Nicholas Bennett going hard to the net to put it behind John Gedraitis at 12:42. Nepean tied it up when Owen Hardy with helpers from Doxtator and Magaletta directed by Jacob Biron at 17:11.
Kemptville came out flat footed to open the second stanza and Nepean took advantage with three unanswered markers. Curtis Sturgeon assisted from Geier with Streska at 9:50 and then at 10:29 as Nicolas Papineau from Scalise with Reid. The Raiders with extra man from Scalise and McLean to Joshua Reid PPG at 11:23. O’Doherty run and gun with Whyte to Grady Logue in the slot to put it between the pegs at 18:24 to head to the dressing room two goals down.
In the final twenty the 73’s mounted a comeback with Sweetapple going downtown to Nicholas Bennett for his second of the day at 1:23. O’Doherty combined with Whyte to catch Grady Logue in the driver’s seat to put the 73’s on even terms. Grady Logue PPG with man advantage posted his second from Ty Whyte to give Kemptville the lead at 8:13. A lone effort from Nicolas Papineau for his second and tie breaker at 9:48 to force OT.
If you blinked you missed the goal winner by Joshua Reid for his second of the game from Papineau and Scalise at :52 for a Nepean 6 to 5 victory.
Nepean outshot Kemptville 39 to 35 with each 1/2 PP.
Rockland Nationals will invade the 73’s barn on Wednesday evening for a 7 pm start and then the Cornwall Colts will trot in for a Friday evening roundup at 7:30 pm.
Hockey with EDGE…see you around the boards.
