2004 Game Reports

Knights Lose to Mountaineers

by Ted Montour

4 July 2004, Merivale Arena, Ottawa

For the second game in a row, the Nepean Knights did not score a goal in the first period - neither did the Mimico Mountaineers, but once they got started, it was the beginning of the end, as the 905'ers took the game, 10 - 6, and the series, 3 games to 2.

Mimico struck first, a power play goal from Andrew Furlong at 4:54, and the middle frame would end 4 - 4, as Mike Nicholson, Ryan Bernardi and Tim Sawa added to the Mountaineers' total, while Alex Vidoni, Kyle Buchanan with 2, and Reid Thrasher would even things up for the Knights.

Brennan Sarazin scored on a power play to give Nepean the lead to open the third stanza, but Bernardi knotted things up once again. Crawford would put the Knights ahead for the last time this afternoon, as Mimico scored five unanswered to take command.

Bernardi and Furlong each scored 2, with 1 each by Bournazakis, Nicholson, Smith, Gauthier, Bolotta and Sawa for Mimico, whose next opponent will likely be the Clarington Green Gaels. Nepean got 2 from Kyle Buchanan, and 1 apiece from Brennan Sarazin, Ian Crawford, Alex Vidoni and Reid Thrasher.

Knights Start Slow, Finish Strong, Even Series With Mountaineers

by Ted Montour

3 July 2004, Merivale Arena, Ottawa

The Nepean Knights only needed two periods to defeat the Mimico Mountaineers 7 - 3 and force a fifth game in their first-round playoff series tonight; --- it's just that it was the second and third periods.

After spotting the visitors two goals and the first period, Nepean goalie Ian Hourston only allowed one more, while his mates potted 3 in the middle frame, from Callum Crawford, Pat Tallis and Kyle Buchanan, and 4 in the third, 2 more from Buchanan and 1 from Crawford, before Mike King buried a breakaway rainbow from Hourston to cap off the evening. As in last night's contest, Nepean made Mimico pay for their breakdowns in discipline, as the Knights' power play accounted for 3 goals.

Mimico's John Bernardi and Alex Bournazakis scored in the first, and Mike McCrory at 2:11 of the third. The Knights got a hat trick from Buchanan, 2 from Crawford and 1 each from Tallis and King. Shots on goal were 56 - 41 in favour of the Knights.

The fifth and deciding game starts at 2:00 p.m., Sunday 5 July at the Merivale Arena.

Knights Notch First Playoff Win over Mountaineers

by Ted Montour

2 July 2004, Merivale Arena, Ottawa

After a disappointing start last week-end to their first-round playoff series with the Mimico Mountaineers, the Nepean Knights returned to their home floor to chalk up an 8 - 6 must-win.

Facing elimination from the 2004 post-season against a team that they had handled to the tune of 9 - 3 on All Star week-end, the Knights started a bit gingerly, conceding the opening goal but finishing the first period 2 - 2, on a power-play goal from crease-man Chris Kirk and an even-strength goal from Pat Tallis. Ryan Fleming and Andrew Furlong replied for Mimico.

The two squads could only muster three goals between them in the middle frame, making the score 4 - 3, Knights. The Mountaineers pulled even, 2:26 into the third, then traded two-goal spurts with the hosts, who had the last word with just under two minutes remaining. The Knights power-play made the big difference in this contest. They scored 5 with a man advantage, brought about in large part by Mimico's attitude problem --- four minor penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct, plus another for delay of the game as a result of obstructing the bench change zone.

Rookie draw-man Pat Tallis lead the Knights with 3 goals, and Captain Brennan Sarazin got 2, including the game-winning 7th when he beat Mimico tender Kevin Olmstead to the ball behind the net, and reached around him and the pipe to pop in the 4th PPG for the homies. Callum Crawford, Chris Kirk and rookie Alex Vidoni, on a pretty fake-high-go-low from the left crease, added 1 each. Ian Hourston went the distance between the pipes, robbing opposing shooters of what looked like sure goals on at least three occasions. At the other end, Olmstead also played the full 60, and Tim Sawa, with 3 goals, along with singletons from Captain Andrew Furlong, Daniel Fleming and Clem D'Orazio, accounted for the offence.

Game Four goes Saturday night, 3 July, 7:30 p.m. at the Merivale Arena.

Next matchup Saturday night at 7:30 p.m.

Disappointing Weekend

26 & 27 June 2004

The Knights tried hard this weekend in their first playoff matchup against the Mimico Mountaineers in Mimico, but it wasn't enough. Penalty trouble and weak legs lost them the first game 7 to 5. In the second game, they got off to a good start and were leading at the end of the first, only to slacken off and start taking penalties. They lost 9 to 6. Come on team! You can beat these guys. Expect to see a spirited game Friday night at 8:30pm, Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 2 pm as the Knights rebound to take the series! Come out and cheer for your team!

Knights Finish their Season on a High Note

19 & 20 June 2004

The Knights were on the road this weekend to play their last two regular-season games. First off in Scarborough, the Knights came from behind to take the Saints 8 to 6. Then, up to Barrie, and a penalty-filled game that saw a mélee in mid second period that ended up with the ejection of all involved players. The ensuring upset saw Barrie claw back from a 6 to 2 deficit to go ahead 7 to 6. But Nepean dug in their heels and slowly pulled ahead, winning 11 to 8.

The Knights finished the season with a respectable 12-7-1 record, and in about 5th spot, depending on the results of games this week. Playoffs start Saturday June 26. We will most likely start away from home, but may not know until Friday night who we play. Stay tuned.

Knights Lose Another Close One

17 June 2004, Turtle Arena, Akwesasne

The Knights got out to a quick start in their game against Akwesasne in the Turtle Dome, scoring the first goal. However, the Lightning came back with three quick ones. Nepean kept battling and, by the end of the first, our boys were up by one goal (5 to 4). The second period see-sawed between a Nepean lead and a tie game. The game got a bit chippy, but the refs kept control and the players quickly settled down. At the end of the second, it was Nepean 7 Akwesasne 6. The Knights widened their lead to 2 goals in the third, only to fall victim to fatique and a last minute push that saw the tying goal scored with less than 30 seconds remaining on the clock and the winning goal with 2.6 seconds left. Final score was Akwesasne 10, Nepean 9.

Strong finish nets win at final home game

13 June 2004, Merivale Arena, Ottawa

This Sunday, after a short All-Star break, the Knights came out strong and finished even stronger with a 9 to 3 win over the Mimico Mountaineers in their final home game. Backstopped by the excellent goaltending of Ian Hourston, the vets scored often to help the team stay well ahead of the Mountaineers for the whole game.

Knights Cruise at Home

9 June 2004, Merivale Arena, Ottawa

The Nepean Knights made it two wins in a row by scoring early and often against an overpowered Gloucester Griffins squad. After the home side built a 10 - 1 lead in the first period, both teams settled into a quiet game, seemingly content to run out the game clock.

With the All-Star contest on Saturday night at Merivale Arena, the next game for the Knights is at home on Sunday afternoon vs the visiting Mimico Mountaineers. Game-time is 2:00 pm.

Mixed Results on Second Road Trip

5 & 6 June 2004

The Knights came up short in a rough game against the Green Gaels on Saturday night. After a strong first period that ended in a 4-3 lead for the Gaels, the Knights didn't show up in the second, going down 10-3. Despite some signs of life in the third, they lost 14-6.

There was a bit more life in the game against Huntsville, who announced a coaching change at the beginning of the game. The Knights scored 4 unanswered goals in the first. The Huntsville goalie picked up his game in the second and Huntsville came on strong, with the lead dropping to one going into the third. The teams traded goals in the third, with the Knights winning 8-6.

Knights Suffer Power Outage

2 June 2004, Merivale Arena, Ottawa

For the second consecutive game vs the visiting Akwesasne Lightning, the Knights found scoring goals almost impossible, dropping another 8 - 5 decision.

The teams battled to a 5 - 5 draw through 2 periods before Akwesasne scored the winner on a breakaway, just moments after the Knights failed to score on a breakaway at the opposite end. The backbreaker was a phantom double-minor penalty call mid-way through the final period that gave the Lightning a two man advantage and the opportunity for an easy insurance marker.

The Knights are on the road this weekend before hosting the Gloucester Griffins for the final time this season on Wed. June 9th at 8:00 pm.

Mixed Weekend for the Knights

29 & 30 May 2004

Nepean won against Markham on Saturday night, 8-7 in a game that was closer than it should have been, only to lose to Six Nations 15-8 on Sunday afternoon. A weak opening few minutes put the Knights down by 5 goals that they would never get back, although the rest of the game they put in a good effort --- just not the goals.

The Knights play Akwesasne at home on Wednesday at 8 pm. Next weekend, it's on the road again, against the Green Gaels and Huntsville.

Knights Return to Winning Ways

26 May 2004, Earl Armstrong Arena, Ottawa

Wednesday night saw some exciting back and forth action in Gloucester that led to Nepean's sixth win of the season. Although the score was fairly close for two periods, Nepean pulled away in the third to beat Gloucester 12 to 5. Josh Giguere played a great game in net, and another rookie, Chris Ford, was player of the game.

Knights Unbeaten Streak Ends

25 May 2004, Merivale Arena, Ottawa

Nepean lost a tight defensive battle 8 - 5 to Akwesasne on Tuesday night at Merivale Arena, the third of five games they will play this season. The goalies from both teams won player of the game honours. More to come.

Knights Win Two More, Undefeated in Six Games

by Ted Montour

15 & 16 May 2004, Merivale Arena, Ottawa

The Nepean Knights moved to within one game of the Akwesasne Lightning for the lead in the OLA Jr. B Far East, as they extended their unbeaten streak to six games with victories over the Milton Mavericks and the Niagara Thunderhawks this past week-end. With a record of 5 wins, 2 losses and 1 OT tie, the Knights are also fourth overall in the East with 11 points (Akwesasne leads with 13 points, with Markham and Oakville tied for second with 12 points).

Saturday night, the 15th, Josh Giguère made his first start in Junior, and eventually held the visiting Mavericks to 5 goals on 20 shots on goal; up front, the Knights traded the lead back and forth, on goals from Alex Vidoni, Chris Ford, Raj Wasson and Ryan Carisse, before Ian Crawford scored with just 12 seconds left in the opening period, for a 5-4 lead after one.

Nepean would score three more times in the second, to chase Milton starting tender Adam Elias in favour of Chris Ingraham. The Knights gave Ingraham a 5-goal welcome without a reply, while at the other end, Giguère left the floor to a well-deserved ovation, to give the first playing time of the year to veteran Brad Conlon, just recently returned from the Bridgton Academy in Maine (starter Ian Hourston had the night off). Milton could manage only one goal, to make the score 12-6 after two periods, as Nepean piled up a 41-28 advantage in shots on goal.

Mavericks' head coach Trevor Reid delayed the inevitable for a few minutes before the start of the final frame, calling for a measurement of Conlon's equipment. The officials concurred, finding that Brad's fore-arm padding exceeded the 3-inch limit by an inch-and-a-half, and the Knights started with a 2-minute minor, which they successfully killed off. The remainder of the game was relatively uneventful, with the notable exception of a "hidden ball" power play marker by Kyle Buchanan that was waved off because of a crease violation. The final score was Knights 16, Mavericks 7. Captain (and Carleton Raven) Kyle Goertz and Troy Hazzard scored 2 goals each, with singles from Jon Ram, Matt Bolton and Chris Padulla, for Milton. Rookie Pat Tallis led all scorers with 3, while Kyle Buchanan, Callum Crawford, Raj Wasson and Alex Vidoni each scored 2, and Mike King, Chris Kirk, Ian Crawford Ryan Carisse and Chris Ford added 1 each.

Sunday afternoon, one of the newest returnees to OLA junior lacrosse, Niagara (-on-the-Lake) paid their very first visit to the Marivale Arena. The Thunderhawks renew a tradition of lacrosse in their community that goes back to the 1973 and 1981 Founders Trophy-winning Niagara Warriors, and featured such players as the Atlanta Flames' Willie Plett, Hamilton Tiger-cats quarterback Ted Greves, and Team Canada veteran, 1970's Philadelphia Wing and now Wings owner Mike French.

The visitors arrived with a short bench, just 13 runners and 2 goalies, and would spot their hosts a 3-goal lead before scoring one of their own about three minutes into the opening period. That would be as close as the Thunderhawks would get on the afternoon, as the Knights held a lead that grew to 6-3 at the end of two periods. The second also saw growing frustration on the part of the tiring Thunderhawks (who had problems at times even moving the ball out of their own end) as evidenced by the fact that the last four goals of the second, two for each side, were all scored on the power play.

The third period was the most competitive of the match, with the two teams playing even up at 4-4, as the Knights consistently worked the clock, rather than pushing the ball every time up the floor. The eventual 10-7 win was never in doubt.

The Thunderhawks' Sam Crogan led all scorers with 4, and Preston Thomas, Jason Bazylewski and Cody Keating contributed 1 each. Kyle Buchanan paced the Knights with 3, Alex Vidoni and Reid Thrasher added 2 apiece, and singles came from Callum Crawford, Pat Tallis and Raj Wasson.

The Knights have this week off, except for practice and return to action next week, hosting the Akwesasne Lightning at 8:00 p.m., Tuesday 25 May at the Merivale Arena, before visiting the Gloucester Griffins the next evening, Wednesday 26 May, with another 8:00 p.m. start.

Knights Tie With Lightning in OT

by Ted Montour

12 May 2004, "Turtle Dome", Akwesasne Mohawk Territory

The first meeting of 2004 between the Akwesasne Lightning and the Nepean Knights saw a strong comeback and 1-goal win by the Lightning at the Merivale Arena; tonight, it was a low-scoring, closely matched affair that ended after 70 minutes in an 7 - 7 tie.

The first period was scoreless, if not without incident, until 15:31, when Akwesasne's (by way of Kahnawake) Charlie Goodleaf scored on Knights' starter Ian Hourston. Less than two minutes later, Callum Crawford, on the way to his best outing of this young season, replied on a power play.

The two sides scattered 5 goals through the second period, as the Knights got unassisted markers from Crawford and "the late" Kyle Buchanan (who had arrived, slightly after a game start already extended by the tardiness of referees Andy Watson and Mike Cameron, after a nickel tour of Eastern Ontario), to 2 from Brandon Francis and another from Brandon Swamp --- 4-3 Lightning after two.

Crawford knotted things up just 38 seconds into the third, with a little help from brother Ian, and Nepean eventually took a 6-5 lead into the last five minutes of regulation, before Jason Thomas's goal at 16:41 forced things into extra time.

After a three-minute breather at their respective benches, play resumed for 10 minutes of overtime, and, while both sides pressed, they only produced another deadlock, as Pat Tallis, enjoying another good night in the face-off circle although disguised as Ryan Carisse, and Brandon Francis, all over the Lightning side of the score sheet, sent everyone home a little relieved if not totally satisfied.

The respective #8's, Callum Crawford and Brandon Francis, were shoo-ins for Players of the Game, with 4 goals each. Goodleaf, Swamp, and Thomas rounded things out for Akwesasne, Buchanan, Raj Wasson and Tallis for the Knights. Both Hourston and Akwesasne starting tender Daylan Adams played well in goal, and the Lightning had several goals disallowed by crease violations.

This coming weekend the Knights host the Milton Mavericks Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. and the Niagara Thunderhawks Sunday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. The Knights then have an 8 day layoff before hosting the Lightning Tuesday, 25 May, at 8:00 p.m. All games are at the Merivale Arena. 

Two-Win Week-end For Knights

by Ted Montour

7-8 May 2004, Merivale Arena, Ottawa

The Nepean Knights unveiled their new-look, red jerseys Friday night, hosting a return engagement with the Gloucester Griffins, after taking their first win of 2004 the previous Wednesday in Gloucester. While the visitors gave a much better account of themselves than they had in their own barn, outshooting Nepean 45-43, they still lost by a score of 11 - 8.

Once again the Griffins opened the scoring, but Callum Crawford replied with a short-handed goal, followed later in the period by another from brother Ian, as Gloucester took a 3 - 2 lead to the dressing room. The second period was all Knights, as Chris Kirk, on a power play, Kyle Buchanan and Pat Tallis scored to make it 5 - 3 Nepean after two.

The Knights continued into the third with three more goals, including another short-handed tally from Mike King, but then the Griffins countered that 6-goal run with a 4-goal spurt of their own, before Ian Crawford and Raj Wasson stopped the bleeding. Gloucester would get one more from Tyler Cameron before Canadian Under-19 defender Evan Sarazen would close things out for Nepean.

Bryce Gibbon, Matt Denis and Myles Kenney each scored 2 for the Griffins. Kyle Buchanan, Ian Crawford and Evan Sarazen had 2 each for Neperan, with singles from Mike King, Callum Crawford, Chris KirkRaj Wasson and Milano's Player of the Game Pat Tallis.

Saturday night, the Oakville Buzz visited to the Merivale Arena, and, despite more than a little nastiness from both sides, the Knights came away with their third victory of 2004, by a score of 13 - 10. Nepean got two power-play goals, from Chris Kirk and Kyle Buchanan, to start things off, before Chris Downey replied for the Buzz. Kirk with another, and a fine solo effort by Mike King, alternating with two more by Oakville, made the score 4 - 3 for the good guys after the first period.

The Knights took control of the proceedings in the second, scoring 6 times to the Buzz' 3, but then the visitors opened the third with 3 straight to make things interesting. Raj Wasson and Mike King, with another unassisted gem, stopped that run, and the two sides traded one more before the end.

Oakville captain Eric Beatty led all scorers with 4; Nepean got 3 from Chris Kirk, 2 each from Callum Crawford, Raj Wasson, and Mike King (both unassisted), and 1 apiece from Kyle Buchanan, Ian Crawford, Pat Tallis and Alex Vidoni.

The Knights see their next action Wednesday 12 May (8:00 p.m.) as they visit the Turtle Dome in Akwesasne, before coming back to the Merivale Arena for two week-end home games, Saturday 15 May versus the Milton Mavericks (7:30 p.m.), and Sunday 16 May against the Niagara Thunderhawks (3:30 p.m.).

Knights Win First of 2004

by Ted Montour

5 May 2004, Earl Armstrong Arena, Ottawa

It would be easy to say that the Nepean Knights came across town to take out the frustration of two consecutive season-opening losses. On the rookie-laden Gloucester Griffins. But that wasn't really the case this night, as the Knights conceded the game- opening goal to the Griffins' Corey Dubien, before firing up the offence to take a convincing 13 - 4 win.

It was rookie Kyle Buchanan who was the first to respond on the way to a 4-1 first period. In the course of trading a series of undisciplined penalties of the roughing and unsportsmanlike-conduct variety, assessed by referees Robert Francis and Andy Watson, Nepean scored 6 unanswered goals in the second, including a sparkling short-hander by Callum Crawford. Tom Powless replaced starter Derek Crowell in Gloucester's net, while Josh Giguère stepped in for Ian Hourston at the other end later in the same period. Both relievers made some excellent saves the rest of the way, and in the third period Dubien played the Knights straight up, accounting for all but one of his team's 3 markers in the final frame. Miles Kenney got the last.

Kyle Buchanan had his best outing as a junior Knight, matching Callum Crawford's 3 goals, while another rookie, Mike Morris, along with Raj Wasson, scored 2; Alex Vidoni, Ian Crawford and Mike McDonald accounted for the rest.

 These two teams meet again Friday, 7 May at 8:00 p.m. at the Merivale Arena, then the Knights round out their week-end hosting the Oakville Buzz on Saturday, with a 7:30 p.m. start.

Lightning Comeback Foils Knights

by Ted Montour

28 April 2004, Merivale Arena, Ottawa

The Nepean Knights' long-time rivals for OLA Jr. B Far East supremacy, the Akwesasne Lightning, paid their first visit of 2004 to the Merivale Arena, and left with a come-from-behind 10 - 9 win. Paced by a third-period hat trick from a late-awakening Andrew Lazore and some clutch goal-tending by Milano's Pizza Player of the Game Daylan Adams, the visitors erased a two-goal deficit and scored the final three goals of the game, two on the power play, to give the Knights their second loss of this early season.

While showing some definite improvement from their rusty performance in their opening-night loss to the Halton Hills Bulldogs, it was a few mental mistakes that cost them dearly. Akwesasne's power play scored four goals in total, to Nepean's three man-up markers, and that was the difference, because the Knights won the even-strength part of the contest.

In addition to Lazore's trick plus 1, all in the final frame, the Lightning got 3 more from Lee Thomas, and 1 each from Curry Rice, Mark Kirby, Logan Kane and Kevin Castor.

Rookie and Player of the Game Pat Tallis tallied 3 goals (1 unassisted) and 2 assists; 1 of Callum Crawford's 2 was also a solo effort, as were those of Mike MacDonald and Reid Thrasher, while Chris Kirk and Raj Wasson rounded out the Knights' scoring.

The Knights get their next chance at their first win of 2004, next Wednesday, May 5th, when they pay a cross-town visit to the Gloucester Griffins. Game time is 8:30 p.m. at the Earl Armstrong Arena.

2004 Home Opener Goes to the 'Dogs

by Ted Montour

24 April 2004, Merivale Arena, Ottawa

Last year the Nepean Knights faced the Halton Hills Bulldogs in the first round of the OLA Jr. B playoffs, and held them to less than 6 goals a game, even in the series-ending overtime game. Tonight, the Bulldogs returned the favour as they took the opening game of the Far East season, 8 - 6.

The first period turned out to be the most productive for the Knights, as they took a 4 - 3 lead on goals by Mike King, Chris Kirk, a short-hander from Raj Wasson and another from Ryan Carisse on a coast-to-coast dash up the south side boards, with an outlet assist from goalie Ian Hourston. The Bulldogs set the tone for the evening, however, opening the scoring after more than eight minutes with what would be the first of their 6 special-teams goals, this one on the power play by Travis Bland.

The Knights had already begun spending too much time in the penalty box, and the 'Dogs power play made them pay, scoring three times with the man advantage in the middle period, plus a short-handed marker of their own. Rookie, and Jr. A first-round draft choice, Kyle Buchanan made the only reply for Nepean.

Both teams' offence tailed off considerably, as the two squads book-ended the third period with a goal at 18 seconds by Callum Crawford, and an empty-netter from the Bulldogs' Tyler Philips at 19:46. Mike Dubé and Todd Hollinshead paced the winners with 2 goals apiece, while the Knights' scoring was all singletons, from King, Kirk, Carisse, Wasson, Buchanan and Crawford. Ian Hourston took the loss in goal, stopping 34 shots.

The Knights next see action Wednesday, 28 April as their perennial rivals, the Akwesasne Lightning, pay their first visit of 2004 to the Merivale Arena. Game time is 8:00 p.m.