Ottawa, Ont. —
The Rockland Nationals took the ice in style for their first home opener in 40 years, as they knocked off the regional-rival Navan Grads by a 3-1 decision.
Connor Beatty scored a pair of goals in the win for Rockland (3-0-1), which moved into sole possession of second place in the CCHL. Nats goaltender Sean Storr stopped 20 of 21 shots in the win, which was attended by a season-high crowd of 1,200.
Rockland celebrated its 1976 national-champion team and honoured former head coach Bryan Murray in a pre-game ceremony.
In other results, Hawkesbury, Brockville, Smiths Falls and Carleton Place recorded wins.
Hawkesbury 4, Cornwall 1
Defenceman Colin Stevens led the way with a goal and assist for the Hawks (2-2) as they emerged victorious their home opener.
Goaltender Matt Petizian stopped 28 of 29 shots in the win for Hawkesbury, while Cornwall’s (2-3) Liam Lascelle turned away 35 of 38 shots in a losing effort.
Colts forward Josh Peladeau was assessed a day-high 12 penalty minutes.
Brockville 4, Kemptville 2
Phil Gilmour’s first and second goals in the CCHL stood as the game-winner and empty-net insurance marker respectively as Brockville (3-2) edged Kemptville (0-4) by a 4-2 decision.
Braves goaltender Justin Evenson earned his second win in as many starts, stopping 26 of 28 Kemptville shots.
Brockville’s Zac McMahon and Kemptville’s Garrett Meyer were both ejected for a second-period fight.
Smiths Falls 5, Pembroke 4
Kris Lalonde, Kyle Dowdall and Michael Larose all had multi-point efforts as Smiths Falls (2-2) knocked off Pembroke (2-2) in the former’s home opener.
William Searle’s winner at 13:31 of the third period capped a wild, nine-goal slugfest between the two .500 teams.
Top Pembroke scorers Matthew Barnaby, Salim Mahi-Beaudry and Zach Cross all tallied in the loss, while Brendan Browne had two assists.
Carleton Place 7, Ottawa 3
Sam Knoblauch’s three-point day led the way for the high-octane Carleton Place Canadians (4-0), who defeated the Ottawa Jr. Senators (3-1) in a Bogart Cup rematch.
Tim Theocharidis had a pair of goals in the win for Carleton Place, which beat rookie Ottawa goaltender Gab Carriere seven times on 46 shots.
League leader Nick Lalonde continued his torrid pace as a part of all three Jr. Sens goals (1G, 2A).
