Adam Prudhomme
Editor
After the visiting Amherstview Jets performed a sweep Friday at the SPC, the Napanee Raiders responded with a win and a tie Sunday at the W.J. Henderson Arena.
The end result of the weekend has the Jets up 4-2-2 in their 14 game exhibition bubble hockey series with the Raiders.
Friday marked the first time the series was played in Napanee and was the first Junior C action at the SPC since March. As with every game of the series, COVID-19 safety protocols meant no fans were allowed to attend and teams were limited to 11 players aside. Once again the teams played two games at each meeting under modified rules with no face-offs, limited body contact and played under run time and played in four quarters.
Rather than a penalty, any infraction means the two teams lineup at centre ice and the offensive team is given a break away. Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
In Friday’s first game, Game 5 overall in the series, the two teams traded goals quickly in the opening four minutes. Cam Krupa opened the scoring for the Raiders, but was quickly offset by the visitors.
Napanee’s Cam Krupa slips a goal passed Amherstview’s Carter Page for Napanee’s first goal of the game on Friday. Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
Zachary Beaubien put the Jets ahead 2-1 in the third quarter before Ty Norman scored on a penalty shot just as time expired in the third quarter. The Jets tacked on one more in the fourth to take the game 4-1.
In the second game, Game 6 of the series, the Jets continued to hold the Raiders’ offense in check, holding on for a 4-2 victory.
Sunday night in Amherstview the Raiders held the lead late into Game 7 before Hunter Chapman struck late to end the game in a 3-3 tie.
Johnny Wright had a pair of goals for the Raiders while Logan White had one.
Amherstview’s Zachary Beaubien fires a wrist shot on net. Photo by Adam Prudhomme.
In Game 8 Krupa got the Raiders on the board just four minutes in. Soren Zamuner doubled the lead to make it 2-0.
Maverick Labrie, who was acquired by the Raiders from the Embrun Panthers late in the summer, added a goal late in the game to cap the 3-1 victory.
The series will return to Napanee on Dec. 11 when the old rivals will once again meet for two games. On Dec. 13 they’re back in Amherstview before returning Dec. 18 in Napanee to close out the 14 game series.
The games themselves don’t count in any standings, but are used as a method to keep the teams ready should the Provincial Junior Hockey League finalize plans to play a regular season. Currently there are no plans in place for a season and the possibility exists that it could be cancelled altogether.
If no plans for a season come together by January, the Raiders have noted they could explore another exhibition series with another team, possibly the Picton Pirates.