CJHL Hockey
Grads improve shootout record to 3-0 with win over Jr. Sens
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online

The Cumberland Grads are proving to be masters of the shootout after registering their third shootout win of the season on Sunday.

After battling each other to a 1-1 tie through three regulation periods and a five minute overtime session, the Grads and the Ottawa Jr. Senators went back to their benches to prepare for the shootout.

David Walters was first up for the Jr. Senators and Adam Laderoute easily turned him away. The Grads first shooter was Michael Borkowski who promptly beat Niels-Erik Ravn top corner for his second shootout goal in three attempts this season.

After Maxime Pilon and Greg Sartoretto both failed to score on their respective attempts it was up to former Cumberland Grad prospect Andrew Newell to keep the Jr. Sens alive.

After skating in on Laderoute, Newell quickly shifted the puck to his backhand and tried to score short-side only to have the Grads goaltender stick out his left pad.to block the shot and preserve the win for the home team.

Newell factored in the Jr. Sens opening goal at the 4:15 mark of the first period when he head-manned the puck into the Grads end which led to a scramble outside the crease with Matt White banging home the loose puck.

The Grads bounced back to even the score a little over five minutes later on an unassisted effort by Mitch Gallant who benefitted from a msicue by Jr. Sens defenceman David Walters who had the puck bounce over his stick at the Cumberland blueline.

With the score tied 1-1 the two goalies took over, shutting the door the rest of the way. Ravn turned away 22 shots over the final two periods, while Laderoute stopped all 15 shots fired his way.

With the win, the Grads improved their record to 14-6-0 good enough for second place in the Yzerman Division. They're one point back of the Pembroke Lumber Kings who have three games in hand, and three points up on the Nepean Raiders who have two games in hand.

The Grads next game is this Tuesday night at the Navan Memorial Arena against the Gloucester Rangers. Faceoff time is 7 p.m.

(Posted 1:30 p.m., Oct. 26)

Visit www.orleansonline.ca's main page