By: Daniel Vazzoler
The 2018 CCHL Labour Day Showcase weekend came to an end on Monday and the Carleton Place Canadians wrapped it up with a perfect 3-0 record after beating the Cornwall Colts 6-1.
Five different players contributed to the goal total for Carleton Place, with Zach Tupker being the lone multi-goal scorer in the victory. Henry Enebak and Peyton Francis continued their scoring ways, each adding a tally after getting two on Sunday, while David Gagnon and Cameron Patton both scored their first career CCHL goals.
Carleton Place jumped on the Colts early, getting three goals past Michael Carr in the first 5:43 of the game before Francis scored late in the period to give the Canadians a 4-0 lead heading to the first intermission.
“In the first period, we were ready to go,” Canadians coach Jason Clarke praised. “The boys executed the game plan very well. Second period, we didn’t come out with the same intensity and in the third period I thought we were a little better. But overall it was a pretty good weekend.”
The lesser intensity from the Canadians allowed Rico Dimatteo to settle in for the Colts as he replaced Carr in goal to start the second period. It also allowed the Colts to test Connor Murphy more in the second period, sending 12 shots his way in the middle frame.
Murphy thanked his team-mates for giving him an easy game in net for most of the afternoon but, when he was tested, the Canadians goaltender was up for the challenge as he made a number of big saves throughout the game.
“I feel like every game there’s a couple of saves you have to make the big saves on, but I think the team did a really good job of limiting those chances of having to make those big saves,” Murphy added. “I just try to stay calm and make it look easy. It’s not easy all the time but I just try to make it seem like that. It looks good, it kind of helps my confidence (and) keeps me calm.”
“He’s very patient, he doesn’t get over-excited about anything, always in the right areas and just very, very patient,” added Clarke. “One of the most patient goaltenders I think I’ve seen in our league.”
Patton scored in the second period to give Carleton Place a 5-0 lead after two periods of play and, for back-to-back games, gave Murphy a chance to pick up the shut-out.
Connor Amsley made Murphy have to wait at least one more game for his first CCHL shut-out as he got the Colts on the board finishing off the 2-on-1 rush with a well-placed shot after a pass from Tristan Poissant.
“It’s frustrating but it doesn’t really matter, we came out with the win and that’s all that really matters,” said Murphy. “The team played unbelievable both games and stuff happens, you can’t really do anything about it so I’m not too upset about it.”
Tupker responded to Amsley’s goal a few minutes later to restore the five-goal advantage. He nearly scored moments before as Dimatteo stopped his first shot, but the rebound looped over the Colts goalie and was cleared off the line by the Colts defence. The puck ended up on Tupker’s stick and he made no mistake with the second effort and beat Dimatteo right next to his ear and just over his blocker-side shoulder.
He also had a strong game on Sunday against the Nepean Raiders as he had three assists in that 6-1 victory and added a pair of goals and an assist to his early season totals.
“Honestly, a lot of the credit goes to my line-mates Ben Tupker and Henry Enebak,” Zach humbly said. “They’ve been unreal, just making those tape-to-tape passes, getting open and helping me score (and) help them score. It’s been perfect.”
The Canadians get into the regular part of the season on Friday with what Clarke called a “really good week” ahead of them on the schedule.
“We play Brockville in Brockville, which is not an easy place to play, Brockville is a really good team. Then we play Hawkesbury at home who’s also 3-0,” Clarke said. “It’s going to be a very, very tough weekend coming up so we’ve got to be prepared.”
