Nepean Raider Nation

Power play nets five in Raiders win
Club bounces back after 10-4 drubbing
Malcolm MacMillan
The Nepean Raiders rebounded into the win column on a snowy Dec. 2, beating up on the Kemptville 73’s 7-3 two days after an embarrassing 10-4 defeat at the hands of the Smiths Falls Bears.
Though the Raiders performance was far from flawless – their execution Sunday wouldn’t have allowed them to beat any of the top teams in the league – it delivered a win against the 7-18-1-3 73’s squad.
Still, the two-point performance keeps Nepean on pace five points behind league leaders Pembroke and Brockville, which each won on Sunday.
The Raiders, at 18-10-2-1, have put up good numbers in the face of myriad off-ice developments this season. Since opening day, the club has said goodbye to two head coaches. Eight players off that inaugural roster are no longer with the club.
“We’ve gone through some shaky times but the team is coming together,” said defenceman Tyler Hinds, who notched a pair of second-period goals against Kemptville.
Hinds scored on the power play and at even strength – the latter the only non-special teams goal scored by Nepean during the game.
Nepean scored three power-play goals by the 11-minute mark of the first, and later added a couple more markers with the man advantage. Emmond Bell supplemented the scoring with a shorthanded tally late in the second frame.
“I expected to win, but before we get ahead of ourselves, we have to execute,” said coach Peter Howes. “It comes down to making plays … and we’re still tired and banged up.”
But Nepean’s power play, which has struggled at only a 17 per cent efficiency this season, was a force on Sunday.
Greg Eskedjian picked up his first goal of the season on a blast from the point early in the first, and after Kemptville’s James Craig was assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct for an elbow to the head of David Gervais, the Raiders capitalized twice more on the power play.
Blueliner Brad Barber, enjoying his best offensive weeks of his Jr. A career, scored his third goal in as many games on a slap shot from the top of the circle, then Stephen Miles one-timed a pass behind former teammate Alexandre Beaudry from the edge of the crease. Both goals were scored during the major to Craig.
Winger Miles said the team is relaxed under Howes.
“You know if you make a mistake he’s not going to sit you for the whole game,” said Miles. “He’s a guy who tells you what’s wrong and lets you go out and try to fix it.”
Miles, a skilled and tough player, was obviously confident on the ice, adding two assists and jawing at Kemptville players after whistles.
Though the 73’s scored single goals in each period – the first on a pass to Tim Hennessey alone in the slot, the second a deflection off a skate in front and the third a point shot through traffic – Raiders goalie Darren MacDonald held the fort with 24 saves.
The game’s story, however, was the Nepean offence, which kept clicking.
Hinds’ pair of second-period scores helped put the game out of reach.
“One the first [goal], I saw Bell in front and I just buried my head and ripped it,” explained Hinds, whose second goal was just as pretty.
“I saw an opening, snuck into the slot and let a wrister go.”
Captain Andrew Mather topped off Nepean’s scoring with a power-play goal in the third period. Taking a pass from Eskedjian, Mather circled into the slot and ripped a quick wrist shot past Beaudry.
Nepean’s previously struggling power play went five-for-six, and their hot penalty kill shut the door on the 73’s. But staying out of the penalty box, especially against better teams, will be paramount for the Raiders this season.
“Penalties are still our Achilles,” said Howes. “We can play on the edge, but we have to be more composed.”
Nepean is second in the league with 223 times shorthanded. League leader Cumberland has been shorthanded just 146 times.

OUTLOOK
Heading into the second half of the season, the Raiders feel the upheaval in the first half will only make them a better team.
The club is still searching for a new head coach, but has gone a respectable 2-2 under Howes and general manager Rob Black, who is filling in on the bench.
“It’s time for us to pick it up,” said Hinds. “We need some wins going into Christmas and have a good streak in the new year that will carry us into the playoffs.”
Miles’ prediction is bolder: “I think we’re going to pick it up and be in the championship for sure.”
Howes says attitude is the key.
“We can’t be overconfident. We just have to be mentally tough,” he said.