Adam Prudhomme
Editor
Clarington struck first in the PJHL Eastern Conference Final at home against the Napanee Raiders on Thursday, squeaking out a 3-2 overtime win in Game 1.
Mitchell Davies scored at the 12:28 mark of extra time to give the Eagles a huge win to open the best-of-seven series.
Cameron Krupa and Erik MacNiel accounted for Napanee’s scores, both occurring in the second period. Those goals were sandwiched around Davies’ first of the night, which came while his team was on the penalty kill at 15:19.
Napanee clung to their 2-1 lead heading into the third but saw it quickly evaporate when Ryan Hall knotted the game at 2-2 just 2:09 into the frame.
Logan Vale gave the Raiders ample opportunity to win it, turning away 41 pucks over 72:28 worth of ice time. Oliver Webster earned the win with 35 saves.
Despite the loss, Napanee can take some solace knowing they put up quite the battle on the road. They’ll have the luxury of home ice for Game 2, which takes place Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Strathcona Paper Centre. Game 3 is back in Clarington on Sunday starting at 3:25 p.m.