Adam Prudhomme
Editor
A game shy of the halfway mark of their 42 game schedule, the Napanee Raiders find themselves right in the thick of a tightly contested East Tod Division.
One night after their eight game win streak was snapped on home ice in Friday’s 4-3 loss to Amherstview, the Raiders rebounded with a 7-2 win in Campbellford.
Scoring was well-balanced in the lopsided win as Michael Patrick, Erik MacNiel, Cam Krupa, Carter Hartwick, Reid Lambert, Spencer Cranley and Trent Williams all found the back of the net.
The Rebels managed to stay close for 40 minutes as the two clubs were tied 1-1 after the opening frame and the Raiders held just a 3-1 lead heading into the final intermission before erupting for four goals in the last stanza.
Logan Vale still saw his share of action in the Raider net, facing 27 shots on the night, allowing just two to get by him. Rebel netminder Brayden Henderson was peppered with 49 pucks.
Friday night was a much closer affair as the Raiders hooked up with their cross-county rivals from Amherstview for another barn burner.
Thomas Elkins was the hero for the Jets, scoring on the power-play with 3:05 left in regulation to put the Jets up 4-3. That’s what the scoreboard was sill showing after time had expired.
Hartwick scored his first of the season to give the Raiders the early lead, 6:12 into the first. Josh Kudo and Caden Kekewich each potted a goal for Amherstview to give the visitors a small cushion heading to the dressing room.
Each side added a goal in the second, Wyatt Gregory scoring short-handed for Amherstview, Jackson Barnes replying for Napanee.
Christos Chronis tied the game near the midway mark of the third, but it would all be for naught when Elkins banged home the go ahead and eventual game-winning goal.
Marc-Olivier Robert earned the win with 30 saves, out-dueling Vale who finished with 28 stops.
Following their weekend split, the Raiders are now 12-7-0-1, sitting third with 25 points. They’re five ahead of the Jets, who are an even 10-10 thus far. Both squads are chasing the Frankford Huskies, who lead the way at 13-4-3 (29 points), just ahead of the 13-1-1 (28) Port Hope Panthers. The Picton Pirates are fifth with 17 points in 18 games while the Rebels are still winless in 19 games, though they have two points via a tie and overtime loss.
The Raiders will look to keep the Rebels out of the win column when they host them on Friday at the SPC. Puck drop is 7:30 p.m.
Following that game the Raiders will host their annual teddy bear toss game next week on Dec. 8 when they take on the Pirates. Fans are encouraged to bring a new stuffed animal to the game and be ready to chuck it onto the ice following Napanee’s first goal of the game. The toys will be scooped up by the players and given to the Napanee Salvation Army.