By: Daniel Vazzoler
The Carleton Place Canadians started their time at the 2019 CCHL Showcase Week-end at the Richcraft Sensplex with a 4-2 win again the Hawkesbury Hawks on Friday.
Bonfield’s three-goal performance in the third period put the Canadians in front and Devon Levi kept them in front by making 29 saves – 13 of his saves coming in the first period to let his team settle into the game.
The easiest way to settle into a game is to get the lead first, and that’s exactly what Carleton Place did Friday afternoon.
Mark Cooper opened the scoring to finish off an exquisite Canadians break-out. Quick puck movement got Carleton Place out of its zone and in on the attack. Ryland Mosley took the David Gagnon pass from across the ice and dropped the puck off to Cooper on the left-wing side. The offensive defenceman gathered the puck and moved into the slot before snapping his shot past Mathieu Chenier 9:35 into the game.
Hawkesbury tallied the only goal of the second period to tie the game before an offensive third period from Bonfield opened the game.
Bonfield gave the Canadians the lead 2:22 into the final period with his first of two power play goals in the game. Right after the face-off win by David Gagnon, Bonfield came off the wall to get to the loose puck. Using his size to protect the puck, Bonfield blocked off the defender and used the circle to get to the high slot before beating Chenier for the 2-1 lead.
It didn’t take long for Bonfield to add to the lead, just 0:27 to be exact. Another quick transition by Carleton Place created the chance as Bonfield got the puck on the right wing. An expertly executed toe drag got him around the Hawks defender before Chenier got beat to his glove side for the third time in three goals with a snap shot from between the hash-marks.
Case Kantgias made things interesting late, bringing the Hawks back to within a goal with under nine minutes to play, but a late power play presented the Canadians a chance to ensure the victory.
Bonfield completed the hat-trick with a power play goal with 0:11 remaining in the game. Bonfield moved the puck to Mosley skating through the middle of the ice and his shot was stopped. The rebound kicked to Bonfield and he had an open net in front of him with the puck on his stick at the side of the net for the tap-in goal.
The showcase continues on Saturday with a game against the Ottawa Jr Senators before ending on Sunday afternoon against the Nepean Raiders.
