The Seaway Valley Rapids Major Bantam AA team travelled to Nepean on the evening of Friday, Oct. 2 to meet with the formidable Nepean Raiders for the season opener. The game proved beyond any reasonable doubt that this team is comprised of former players of the Long Sault Selects, the Cornwall Colts, and the Char-Lan Rebels. The game was hard hitting and gritty and the Rapids Major Bantams AA came away with a 6–3 win. The game was much closer than the final score would suggest. Lawson MacDougall of the Rapids assisted by Blain MacKay set the pace and scored with only 31 seconds into the game. Then Joel Levac assisted by Shayne Flaro scored at 10:14 of the first first period to give the Rapids an early 2–0 lead. The Seaway Valley team owned the first period with smart, faced-paced, hard-hitting and old-style hockey. The second period was another story all together. The Nepean Raiders quickly replied at 1:09 of the second period and tied the game at 8:12 of the second period. The Raiders clearly dominated and were all over the Rapids during the second period. James Edwardson between the pipes for the Seaway Valley Rapids frustrated the home team stopping 8 to 9 breakaways and two-on-one Raider opportunities without allowing a goal. The Rapids reclaimed the lead at 16:47 of the period on another goal by Joel Levac on a play set up by Shayne Flaro and Matthew Gregoire. The Nepean Raiders were relentless and tied the game once again at 7:37 of the third period on a power play. The third period was hard hitting with end-to-end action. The Rapids would take the final lead with the game winner from Jesse St. John. The goal was unassisted at 16:47 of the third period. To bolster the lead, Ryan Dunbar chipped one on a play from Adam Hebert and Matthew Gregoire. In desperation, the Raiders pulled their goaltender with 1 minute remaining and Alex O’Reilley made a smart pass to Blain MacKay to score on the empty net. Head coach Ron Belmore and his assistant coaches were pleased with the inaugural game of the season. James Edwardson played a very strong game in goal for the Rapids and the net result was a 6–3 solid win for the Seaway Valley Rapids Major Bantam AA over the Nepean Raiders in the season opener to commence the 2009–2010 season.
Seaway Valley Rapids Major Bantam AA win season opener
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