CJHL Hockey
Grads keep home unbeaten streak intact with shootout win over Cornwall Colts
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online

Cumberland Grads forward Kale Wild battles for the puck in front of the Cornwall Colts net during second period action on Sunday. Fred Sherwin/Photo

In a battle between the CJHL's division leaders it was the Cumberland Grads who came out on top on Sunday as they downed the Cornwall Colts in a shootout to keep their unbeaten home record intact.

The highly anticipated game lived up to the advanced billing as the two teams battled to a 2-2 tie in regulation. After an exciting overtime period in which the Grads had several excellent scoring opportunities, it took six shootout rounds before Cumberland finally got the win.

While the Grads were intent on keeping their home unbeaten streak intact, the Colts were equally determined to continue their success on the road where they were also unbeaten.

The Grads got on the scoreboard first during a power play opportunity at the 16:55 mark of the opening period. Brent Bisdee scored the goal off a long rebound given up by Colts goalie Doug Carr. The initial shot was taken by Rob Caparelli who was recently acquired from the Ottawa Jr. Senators.

Mike Zanella tied the game for the Colts a little over a minute later to send the two teams to the dressing room knotted up at a goal apiece.

Caparelli then scored his first goal of the season for his new team on shot that slid along the ice and caught the inside of the far post

Trailing 2-1, the Colts tied the score again on a shot from Eddie Slade that changed directions after it deflected off the shin pad of Grads' defencemen Kevin Tansey past a helpless Adam Laderoute.

Despite the bad break, the Grads' goalie was on his game for the most part especially in the third period when he had to make several difficult saves to keep the game tied.

Carr had a good game in net for the Colts as well, especially in the five minute overtime period when the Grads outshot Cornwall 5-2. He continued to have a hot hand in the shootout, stopping the first two Grads shooters before Daniel Sauve beat him five hole to force extra shots.

After Kale Wild scored on a bullet that beat Carr high glove side to force a sixth round, Greg Sartoretto scored on a slick shot that found an opening between Carr's left foot and the post to put all the pressure on Cornwall's Shane Avery who missed the net giving the Grads the big win.

The Grads will be hard-pressed to keep their home unbeaten streak intact Tuesday night when they host the Pembroke Lumber Kings who trail them by just one point in the Yzerman Division standings.

(Posted 8:30 a.m., Oct. 6)

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