Adam Prudhomme
Editor
The Napanee Raiders’ unbeaten streak faced one of its toughest challenges yet but ultimately emerged unscathed as they rallied for a 3-2 win over the visiting Picton Pirates on Friday night.
The victory pushed their season opening win streak to an even dozen, but it wasn’t as easy as some of their most recent triumphs.
Despite outshoting 16-11 in the opening 20 minutes, the Raiders found themselves trailing by a pair at the first intermission courtesy goals from Picton’s Nick Kirby and Jack Dow. Pirates netminder Brady Spry was outstanding, turning away all 16 pucks he saw in the opener.
Napanee’s defense took control over the final 40 minutes of the game, limiting the Pirates to just eight shots the rest of the way. This allowed the Raiders’ offense to slowly chip away, starting with an early strike from Ryan Kidd just 1:29 into the second period. Napanee continued to pressure the rest of the period, but still found themselves down a goal heading into the final intermission.
Napanee’s persistence paid off as Noah Westwater notched the tying goal at the 3:55 mark of the third just 23 seconds before Soren Zamuner banked home the go-ahead tally.
That was enough for Raiders’ goalie Bailey Maracle, who finished the game with 16 saves to record his ninth win of the season. Spry took the loss despite making 42 saves on the night.
Napanee’s 12-0 record has them leading the East Tod Division comfortably; a full 11 points up on the second place Amherstview Jets who are 6-4-1 heading into the weekend. The loss drops Picton to 5-3 on the year, 14 points back of first. The 4-8 Frankford Huskies are fourth while the 1-4-2 Port Hope Panthers are fifth and the 0-6 Rebels sit in last.
Napanee will enjoy a quiet weekend before hitting the road next Thursday for a road date with the Pirates. On Nov. 4 they’re back home to take on the Panthers at the SPC. Puck drop is 7:30 p.m.