The Brockville Braves survived a determined comeback attempt by the Cumberland Grads on the way to a 6-5 win.
Brockville made the score 6-4 on a goal by Neil Robinson at 5:26 in the third period, and Cumberland got as close as 6-5 when Zackhary Salloum scored 16:38 into the third period.
The Braves got the win thanks to a great game by Jack Billings, who had two goals and three assists. Billings scored the first of his two goals at 14:29 into the first period to make the score 3-2 Brockville. Andrew Jarvis picked up the assist. Billings' next tally made the score 5-4 Brockville with 16:34 left in the third period. A slashing penalty on Mathieu Dubois had put Brockville on the power play. Vincenzo Renda assisted on the tally.
The Grads were unable to stop the Braves from sending pucks towards the net, and Brockville eventually piled up 31 shots on goal. The Braves surpassed their usual scoring output this season. Brockville averages 3.3 goals per game. The Braves could not stay out of the penalty box, as the team accrued 16 minutes in penalties during the game.
Brockville also got points from Ian Johnston, who also registered one goal and three assists and Robinson, who also finished with two goals and one assist. Michael Murray also scored for Brockville. Other players who recorded assists for Brockville were Thomas Dunleavy and Cameron Crotty, who each chipped in one.
Cumberland's offense rang up 48 shots on Brockville's net. The Grads found themselves short handed often, totaling 16 penalty minutes and allowing six power plays.
Cumberland additionally got points from Salloum, who also tallied one goal and two assists and Michael Larose, who also racked up one goal and one assist. Cumberland also got a goal from Shawn Cameron as well. In addition, Cumberland received assists from Jared Leslie, who had two and Marc-Olivier Bouchard, Branden Makara, and Simon Besner, who contributed one each.
Henry Johnson made 43 saves for the Braves on 48 shots. Ryan Coughlin rejected 25 shots on goal for Cumberland. The Grads registered one goal on five power play opportunities.
