|
(Posted 8
a.m., Dec. 17)
Grads hang
on to down Nepean Raiders, end four game losing streak
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online
The Cumberland
Grads came dangerously close to losing their fifth straight game on Wednesday,
but thanks to the play of goalie Adam Laderoute they eeked out a 5-4 win
against the Nepean Raiders to move into fourth place in the overall standings.
For the first
two periods, the Grads looked like a totally different team than the one
that lost their last four games including a 7-2 drubbing at the hands of
the Kanata Stallions on Sunday.
The Grads peppered
Nepean netminder Joel Grills with 21 shots in the opening period which resulted
in a pair of goals by Matt Miller and Mitch Gallant. A penalty late in the
period, however, would give the Raiders a chance to make it a one goal game
heading into the second intermission thanks to a power play marker by Ahmed
Mahfouz.
The Grads extended
their lead to 4-1 in the second period on goals by Brent Bisdee and Mike
Lemay, despite being outshot 17-9.
After a less
than stellar outing against the Stallions on Sunday, Laderoute was on his
game against the Raiders, especially in the second period where he made
several outstanding saves to maintain the Grads three goal lead.
As good as he
was in the second, Laderoute had to be super sharp in the third as the Raiders
threw everything at him but the kitchen sink. Mahouz's second of the game
early in the third cut the Grads' lead to 4-2, which is where the score
stood until Rob Caparelli's goal with 5:10 left in the game reestablished
a three goal lead. Little did they know that the goal would be the eventually
game winner.
Brent Norris'
goal 90 seconds later, would give the Raiders a ray of hope. Down 5-3, they
pulled Grills with a full two minutes left in the game to go with an extra
attacker. The move immediately paid off when Corey Domenico scored to make
it a one goal game.
As the situation
became increasingly more desperate, the Grads didn't do themselves any favours
by taking an ill-timed tripping penalty with a 1:52 left to go. Fortunately
for Cumberland, Laderoute wasn't about to let his earlier play go to waste.
The game's first star managed to bar the door as time slowly ran out on
Nepean.
In 20 minutes
of action, Laderoute stopped the puck 25 times in the third period, which
is more than most goalies face in an entire game.
During the post
game interview, Laderoute put into words what a lot of people were thinking
when the Raiders scored late to make it a one goal game.
"For a minute
there I thought 'Oh, Oh we're going to lose', but we managed to hold for
the win. We haven't won too many one goal games so this is a good win for
us,' said Laderoute.
The Grads have
two games left against the Carleton Place Canadians and the Smiths Falls
Bears on Friday and Saturday before the Christmas break. Their first game
back will be on Wednesday, Jan. 6against the Cornwall Colts at the Navan Arena.
Puck drops at 3 p.m.
(This story
was made possible thanks to the generous support of our local
business partners.)
Return
to top
Return
to Front Page
|
