Adam Prudhomme
Beaver Staff
After seeing their 16-game win streak snapped in heartbreaking overtime fashion on Thursday, the Napanee Raiders rebounded in a big way Sunday, scoring one goal for every victory collected during that streak.
Napanee took out any frustrations they made have had on the hapless Campbellford Rebels, pasting them 16-0 at home.
Austin Labelle had a hat trick, Justynn Steven, Kyle Hancock, Ryan Casselman, Josh Murphy each had a pair while Devon King, Brodie Maracle, Cullen Hinds, Riley Steeves and Jake Campbell added singles.
Labelle also added three assists for a six point night while Casselman added to his league-leading point total with four helpers to go with his two goals, pushing his season total to 57 points. Jeremy Piazzi faced just eight shots to earn his second consecutive shutout and third on the year. Nathan Walford drew the start for the Rebels but suffered a suspected concussion. He allowed eight goals in 25:20. Mike Ellis had mop-up duty, allowing the final eight Raider tallies. Combined the Rebel keepers saw 88 shots.
The loss was Campbellford’s 20th in a row to start the season as they reach the halfway mark of another trying season.
While losing has become a norm for the Rebels, it was a foreign concept for the Raiders heading into Thursday’s road match against the Picton Pirates.
Napanee looked to be well on its way to a 17th straight win as they held a 4-2 advantage with just under nine minutes left to go in the third. That’s when Picton ignited its rally, with Noah Brant scoring a power-play goal and Matthew Scott notching the equalizer at the 16:45 mark. That score held until 34 seconds into overtime when Picton’s Devin Morrison had the golden goal that halted the sweet 16-win streak.
Nicholas Nabuurs took the loss, his first of the season in 11 games, while making 28 saves. Aaron Young took home the win, stopping 31.
Griffen Conger had given the Raiders the lead, scoring late in the first. Former Raider Jordan Cannons netted an early power-play goal in the second only to be offset by a pair from Riley Steeves in a 26 second span.
Cannons cut the lead to 3-2 before Zach Knapp-Hermer restored the two goal lead with a power-play goal. The Raiders were unable to hold that lead however, allowing three unanswered to suffer their first loss since back on Opening Night. Picton was unable to build on the momentum of their big win on Thursday however, as they dropped a 4-0 loss to the Amherstview Jets on Sunday night, losing any ground they had gained on Napanee in the standings.
Napanee will look to stretch its one-gamer into two straight on Friday night when they welcome the Jets to the SPC for a 7:30 p.m. puck drop. On Saturday, the Raiders will have another shot at the Rebels, this time on the road.
Friday’s game will mark the halfway mark of the season for the 17-1-0 -1 Raiders.
For complete standings, scoring and goalie leaders, visit www.napaneebeaver.ca/2017/11/09/raiders-stats/.