CJHL Hockey
Grads fall to Brockville Braves in overtime
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online

The Cumberland Grads Mathieu Ouellette fights for the puck behind the Brockville Braves next during second period action on Sunday. Fred Sherwin/Photo

The Cumberland Grads recent inability to play three periods of hockey, cost them once again on Sunday as they allowed the Brockville Braves to come back from a two goal deficit in the third period and win the game in overtime.

After Brockville scored the the first two goals of the game, the Grads answered back with arguably their best period of hockey in recent memory. They fired 19 shots on Braves' netminder Clarke Samuels in the second period and scored four unanswered goals to take a 4-2 lead.

Everything seemed to be going the Grads way, until early in the third period when Mike Skakum scored on a pass from Justin Taber to narrow the deficit to just a goal. Skakum was left unmolested on the play as he parked himself near the far post.

The Braves would eventually tie the game a little over two minutes later when Scott Arnold banged home a rebound off a point shot from Alex Boak.

Despite Brockville's ability to tie the game in such short order, the Grads were able to muster enough offence to regain the lead at the 6:45 mark of the third period on a play that was set up by Brent Bisdee

Bisdee picked up the puck near centre ice and streaked across the Braves blueline. After blowing past the Brockville defenceman on the play, he angled the puck toward the braves goal. Saunders was able to make the initial save, but Rob Caperelli potted home the rebound after charging the net.

The Grads' lead held up until the 9:55 mark of the third period when the Braves took advantage of a favourable bounce off the end boards to tie the game at five goals apiece.

The score remained tied through the remained of the third period, forcing a five minute overtime session. Playing with four skaters aside, the Braves immediately took the advantage, forcing the play deep in the Grads' end.

After gaining control of the puck along the end boards, Skakum threw a pass out to Zack Zaremba who was standing all alone in the slot and beat Grads goaltender Adam Laderoute stick side.for the game winning goal.

Despite picking up a point for the regulation tie, the Grads have put themselves in a precarious position in the strandings. Heading into Tuesdays set of games, they are only one point up on the Gloucester Rangers and two points up on the Nepean Raiders, both of whom have three games in hand.

Grads head coach Paul Flindall is hoping his team will get their act together in time for their next game against the Kemptville 73's on Tuesday night.

In particular he wants his veteran defenceman to be more responsible in their own end and do a better job in taking away the time and space they're giving opposing players.

"We need to show a greater sense of urgency. We're giving these guys way too much time to get set up," said Flindall.

The 73's have just nine points in 20 games so far this season and they've scored a league low 81 goals. Game time at the Navan Arena is 7 p.m.

(Posted 11:10 p.m., Nov. 2)

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