Seaway Valley Rapids vs. Eastern Ontario Cobras

The Seaway Valley Rapids Major Bantam AA team would first encounter the Eastern Ontario Cobras on October 14, 2009 in St. Isidore and they would soundly defeat the home team by a score of 9 to 3. The league rivals would meet once again and the Rapids would skate to a 6 to 1 win on December 20, 2010 in Maxville. After a disappointing and unexpected loss to the Ottawa Valley Silver 7 on Saturday night in Long Sault, the Seaway Valley Rapids boys sought redemption and vindication. The Rapids would meet for the third and final game of league play with head coach Lloyd Fourney’s Cobras in Maxville on a very cold and final day (31) of January 2010. A win tonight would deliver a clean sweep of a three game series for head coach Ron Belmore’s Rapids over the Cobras. The final game of the season did not disappoint and both teams came out firing. In fact, the Cobras did not look like a last placed team whatsoever. Both goal tenders were flawless in the first period and the teams would exchange 12 shots each. The Cobras attempted to capitalize on three breakaways during the initial period but James Edwardson, the netminder for the Rapids, was on his game and frustrated the Eastern Ontario team. The first period would end tied at 0-0. The Cobras were relentless and would score early in the second period on a breakaway and would lead and dominate most of the middle frame. With the Rapids Captain in the sin bin on a questionable call, Joel Levac took charge with the assistance of Matthew Gregoire and Cole Blanchard to score a picture perfect shorthanded goal. The period would end in a 1 to 1 tie but the Cobras came to play and were fighting hard for the final playoff spot. That being said, the Rapids are a third period team. They find the back of the net often in the final frame of most games and tonight would be no exception. The Rapids would score three unanswered goals in the third. Joel Levac for his second goal of the contest would score early in the third period at the 2:49 mark. He was assisted by Blane MacKay and Adam Hebert. Then a minute later Captain Parker Krol would find the back of the net with assists credited to Matthew Gregoire and Zach Seguin. The Cobras would scramble and with another power play, they would pull their goalie with 4 minutes remaining in the game to initiate a “full court press.” That strategy would not stop the Rapids at this point and the final goal of the game would go to Matthew Gregoire from Zach Seguin to find the empty net with minutes remaining game. Final score: Rapids 5 Cobras 1. This was an important and meaningful win for the Rapids. At this point in the season, a loss was not an option. The Rapids defence tonight was on point and greatly assisted their goalie to hold the Cobras to only one goal. James Edwardson continues to be solid in net for the Rapids. He was especially unyielding in the first period when the Cobras pressed on 3 breakaways. The Rapids netminder now has four straight wins and 10 wins in total and 4 losses for the season. With the win the Rapids sweep the Cobras and are 20 goals for and 5 goals against for the three game series. The Seaway Valley team is currently tied for third in the overall standings in the 10 team league. The Rapids will play their final game of the regular season against the formidable and undefeated Kanata Blazers on Tuesday February 2, 2010 in Kanata. Notwithstanding the result, the Rapids are guaranteed post season action, but will have to wait until February 10, 2010 when all league games will be completed to determine the final standings and the playoff schedule.