In a game where neither team could get a cushion, the Pembroke Lumber Kings escaped with a 5-4 victory over the Kemptville 73s.
Pembroke gained the winning advantage on a goal by Lucas Gonu 17:03 into the third period and hung on until final buzzer.
Gonu was all over the ice for the Lumber Kings, as he tallied two goals and one assist in the win. Gonu scored the first of his two goals on the power play at 7:19 into the first period to make the score 3-1 Pembroke. Pembroke had gotten the advantage when Kemptville’s Dean Galasso was sent off for roughing. Keegan Harper assisted on the tally. Gonu’s next tally on the power play made the score 5-4 Pembroke with 2:57 left in the third period. Harper picked up the assist.
The 73s’ power play was ineffective against the Lumber Kings’ penalty kill, which allowed one goal while shorthanded.
Pembroke forced Kemptville goalie Jacob Lucier to work between the pipes, taking 47 shots.
Pembroke additionally got points from Chris Minns, who also registered one goal and one assist. Pembroke also got a goal from Dylan Staples as well. Other players who recorded assists for Pembroke were T Beveridge, Dylan Chase, Sam Gleason, Felix Chamberland, and Darcy Haines, who contributed one a piece.
The 73s’ offense rang up 36 shots on the Lumber Kings’ net.
Kemptville was helped by Justin Haasbeek, who grabbed one goal. Haasbeek scored 11:10 into the second period to make the score 3-3. Quinn Wichers provided the assist. Olivier Chabot also scored for Kemptville. More assists for Kemptville came via Phil Smith, Brandon Seatter, Erik Brown, Jonathan Cyr, Alex Row, and Dylan Giberson, who each chipped in one.
Darren Smith recorded 32 saves for Pembroke. The Lumber Kings incurred 18 minutes in penalty time with nine minors. The 73s’ Lucier stopped 42 shots out of the 47 that he faced. Kemptville incurred 14 minutes in penalty time with seven minors.
