By: Daniel Vazzoler
The Carleton Place Canadians begin a stretch of 12 days off for the holidays feeling good following Friday’s 3-0 win against the Kemptville 73’s.
“I think it’s always nice when you have a win going into 12 days off,” Canadians coach Jason Clarke said. “It makes it a little bit easier than having a loss so it’s always good to have the win before taking some time off.”
After combining for five goals in the first period of Wednesday’s game when the Canadians and 73’s last met, neither team could score a goal in the first period on Friday.
Friday’s opening period had lots of face-offs and whistles that slowed down the pace of the game. But, according to Canadians captain Geoff Kitt, Kemptville kept the intensity up in the period.
“We had to match their intensity. They were playing the body on us in the first and we weren’t really responding. I thought we did a good job in the second and the third (periods), especially (Travis) Broughman and ‘Chill’ (Connor Hill). They came out hard and laying the body and giving us a lot of energy,” he added.
While the offence took a little bit to get started, Canadians goalie Michael Leach was strong from the opening face-off as he picked up his third shut-out of the season.
“It’s nice to get rewarded for your hard work and stuff, but it’s just another game and going to go into the next game the same way,” he said.
“I thought Leach played really well, especially in the third period when Kemptville had that last power play where he made three really big saves when it was 2-0,” Clarke expressed. “Penalties happen, mistakes happen and it was good to see our goaltender step up in a big moment, which is exactly what he did.”
It wasn’t until the second period that Haydn Hopkins opened the scoring. Adam Pilotte took a long shot from the blue-line that Nick Bond stopped, but couldn’t track the rebound. Zach Tupker took a swipe at the puck before Hopkins took his time to tuck the puck into the open net for the 1-0 lead 2:14 into the period.
Kitt added some much-needed insurance for the Canadians with a short-handed goal midway through the third period to give Carleton Place a two-goal lead.
“Plan was just to kill off the penalty and try to stay up in the game. I read the goalie was going to bobble the puck, (Sam) Knoblauch got on their D and forced the turnover and I just saw a little bit of room on the left side. There was a little screen and I was able to put it home.”
With this game being the last one before the Canadians players had a chance to head home for the holidays, Clarke said staying focused on the game was a point of emphasis throughout the week.
“We talked about making sure we didn’t have our bags packed and ready to go for the 12-day break. I thought the kids responded well, it wasn’t a Picasso but we definitely had some good opportunities and it was good to get a win.”
“We had that talk in the dressing room before the game, we told people not to check out,” Kitt said, adding to his coach’s message. “We knew we’re going to have 12 days off and just empty the gas tank. We have a long break, so just make sure we worked hard and got the things done that we needed to get done before the break.”
For some, like Leach, maintaining the focus on Friday’s game was easier than for others.
“I already live at home so I don’t have to travel or anything, I’m already here, so it was just another game for me,” said the Dunrobin, Ont. native.
Carleton Place is now off from game action until Jan. 6 when it travels to face the Ottawa Jr. Senators in a meeting of the top two teams in the CCHL. The Canadians are back at the Carleton Place Arena the following day, Jan. 7, when they host the Brockville Braves in a Sunday afternoon game.
