73's.
The 73's topped the Colts last week.
B. Wilson Photo
As part of the team’s equestrian event, Kemptville played two games this past weekend against the Kanata Stallions and the Cornwall Colts.
Their struggles are still ongoing but they are improving. Another trade was made this week. Tyler Sybil was traded to Gloucester for defenseman Joe Kerker, and forward Lucas Gonu was picked up from Pembroke. The team is still plagued with injuries, missing four from their starting line up.
The opposition for Friday, Dec. 9 was provided by the Kanata Stallions. Kanata scored twice in a two minute span during the first period and that was the only scoring of the frame. In the second, the Stallions capitalized twice in a 30-second span to jump out to a 4-0 lead before the 73’s got one back. Alex Bouchey notched his second of the year, assisted by Blaine Byron and newcomer Lucas Gonu. With 10 seconds left in the period, the Stallions added another to take a 5-1 lead into the second intermission. In the third, the teams exchanged goals with Stevie Ray Adams picking up his third goal since joining the team. Mason Nowak picked up the assist. Bouchey was named the game’s third star as one of the few shining lights for Kemptville.
In a rare Sunday evening game on Dec. 11, the 73’s hosted the Cornwall Colts. The Colts opened the scoring 9:01 into the first period but 2:14 later, Cedric Lacroix notched his second of the season from Nevin Guy and Jake Martin. Before the period ended, Cornwall restored their lead to 2-1 at the first intermission. In the second, Josh Pitt scored his team-leading twenty-first goal to tie the game. Setting up the marker were Blaine Byron and Guy. Cody Hendsbee got his second of the year from Mason Nowak to put the 73’s into the lead. However, the lead was short-lived as the Colts evened the score 37 seconds later.
At the end of the second, the teams were tied at three. The third was a hard fought affair, with Cornwall applying lots of pressure on Kemptville. Goaltender Travis Wilkins withstood the onslaught. At the 17:41 mark, Pitt scored his second of the night on a deflection of a shot from the point. Byron and Ben Hutton got the assists.
With sixteen seconds left, Byron scored his seventh of the year into an empty net to seal the victory for the 73’s. Hutton and Lacroix got the assists. The loss by the Colts knocks them out of first place in the Robinson Division. Pitt, Byron and Guy earned the three star awards for the game.
The CCHL is holding their annual Holiday Showcase from Dec.16 to Dec. 18 at the Bell Sensplex. All twelve teams will play two games each over the weekend.
The 73’s will face the Pembroke Lumber Kings on Saturday, Dec. 17 at 5 p.m. and then the Kanata Stallions at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 18. Come out and support your community team and catch some great Junior A hockey.
See you at the rink!