Adam Prudhomme
Editor
The Napanee Raiders closed out 2019 on a winning note, defeating the North Kawartha Knights 4-1 on the road Dec. 21.
Marshall McFarland opened the scoring with a power-play goal at the 8:57 mark of the first, followed closely by a goal from Evan Foley at 10:11.
Nic Case tacked on another 12:36 into the second to give the Raiders a 3-0 lead they’d enjoy into the third period.
Ethan Coens broke the shutout at the 4:31 mark of the third with a power-play goal, but that was all the home team would have to celebrate on the night. Logan White restored the three goal lead for Napanee less than two minutes later in what would hold up as the final goal of the game.
Bailey Maracle turned away 30 shots for the win. Ryan Bailey took the loss, stopping 33 of 37.
Napanee entered the Dec. 21 game following their first shutout loss of the season. At home on Dec. 20 they were blanked 1-0 by the Clarington Eagles.
Alex Lepizzera was outstanding in net for the visitors, turning away 44 shots from Napanee’s high-powered offense to steal the victory.
Napanee’s Mitch Bown makes a pad save in Friday’s 1-0 loss to Clarington at the SPC. Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
Brent Lace scored the game’s only goal late in the first, converting on the power-play. Mitch Bown took the loss, despite stopping 35 pucks.
Napanee had three power-play opportunities but just couldn’t finish their play despite their share of quality scoring chances.
After their pair of Orr Division games, the Raiders have just one crossover game left scheduled on the regular season, a Jan. 18 game against Lakefield. They do however have another game against Lakefield that was postponed still yet to be re-scheduled. The rest of their games will be against familiar Todd Division rivals.
Napanee entered the Christmas break with a 23-2-1-2 record and a comfortable 13 point lead over the second place Amherstview Jets. The Jets are 17-10-2 (36 points), just ahead of Port Hope 14-10-3-2 (33) and Gananoque 14-10-1-4 (33). Picton is just out of the playoff picture at 15-12-1-1 (32) while Campbellford is last at 1-24-0-2 (four).
The Raiders are back in action Jan. 4 when they visit Port Hope.