I popped into Raiders practice last night in anticipation of tonight's season opener against the Hawkesbury Hawks the CHL Showcase.
General manager and head coach Peter Goulet, who is starting his first full season as head coach of the black and red said the suspense was killing him.
"I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight," he said.
The rest of the team looked fairly loose at the end of the on-ice session. We'll see how that translates tonight.
Puck drop is at 8 p.m. at the Kanata Recreational Complex. Check out www.yourottawaregion.com tomorrow for the game report.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Friday, August 13, 2010
Watt's chances look good
Another story from the Raiders training camp was the play of Brandon Watt.
The former Ottawa Senators minor midget captain was a protect of the Raiders who appeared in five regular season games last year and saw limited action in the playoffs.
Watt was scrimmaging against the veteran-laden squad and looked very sharp, often leading the rush with his good speed and weaving his way through the defence.
The 5-10, 162-pounder had 30 points in 30 games with the Sens last season. After being selected seventh overall in the CHL draft last June, he said he would be happy to make the team and record between 10 and 20 points.
Providing he gets the opportunity, based on his strong play at camp, he should be able to exceed those expectations.
Goulet admitted that Watt's name hasn't been etched in stone yet, but he'll be given every opportunity in exhibition play to show what he can bring to the table.
Call it cautious optimism. Goulet wants to do what's best for the player.
"Anytime you're going to sign young guys, you want to make sure they're able to play and contribute because the No. 1 thing is their development," he said.
The team gets sets to begin its exhibition schedule tomorrow and Sunday with a home-and-home series against Goulet's old team, the Kingston Kimco Voyageurs.
The former Ottawa Senators minor midget captain was a protect of the Raiders who appeared in five regular season games last year and saw limited action in the playoffs.
Watt was scrimmaging against the veteran-laden squad and looked very sharp, often leading the rush with his good speed and weaving his way through the defence.
"He's got a ton of upside. He's got a great head for the game," head coach and general manager Peter Goulet said. "Brandon's work ethic is second to nobody's.
"He's going to be a great player in this league."
The 5-10, 162-pounder had 30 points in 30 games with the Sens last season. After being selected seventh overall in the CHL draft last June, he said he would be happy to make the team and record between 10 and 20 points.
Providing he gets the opportunity, based on his strong play at camp, he should be able to exceed those expectations.
Goulet admitted that Watt's name hasn't been etched in stone yet, but he'll be given every opportunity in exhibition play to show what he can bring to the table.
Call it cautious optimism. Goulet wants to do what's best for the player.
"Anytime you're going to sign young guys, you want to make sure they're able to play and contribute because the No. 1 thing is their development," he said.
The team gets sets to begin its exhibition schedule tomorrow and Sunday with a home-and-home series against Goulet's old team, the Kingston Kimco Voyageurs.
Catching up
It's been a long stretch without Raiders hockey. Here's what you may have missed over the last few months:
http://www.yourottawaregion.com/sports/local/article/821736--nepean-steals-show-at-chl-draft
http://www.yourottawaregion.com/sports/local/article/854286--goulet-deals-four-players-for-former-trenton-captain
http://www.yourottawaregion.com/sports/local/article/858744--a-long-way-from-home
http://www.yourottawaregion.com/sports/local/article/858761--more-than-a-one-man-show
http://www.yourottawaregion.com/sports/local/article/858781--who-s-that-girl
http://www.yourottawaregion.com/sports/local/article/821736--nepean-steals-show-at-chl-draft
http://www.yourottawaregion.com/sports/local/article/854286--goulet-deals-four-players-for-former-trenton-captain
http://www.yourottawaregion.com/sports/local/article/858744--a-long-way-from-home
http://www.yourottawaregion.com/sports/local/article/858761--more-than-a-one-man-show
http://www.yourottawaregion.com/sports/local/article/858781--who-s-that-girl
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Net presence key to game 4 win, success going forward
Those following the Nepean Raiders this year probably wouldn't put defenceman Alexandre Moisan in the "offensive star" category.
By that's exactly what he was in the Raiders' game 4 win on Tuesday night.
The hulking blue-liner was a presence in front of Cornwall Colts goaltender Doug Carr on every Raiders' power play, scoring the tying goal at 16:56 of the second period.
With eight goals during the CJHL regular season, the tally was Moisan's first goal of the series.
Moisan was usually joined by another teammate, the pair making life as miserable as possible for Carr.
Although Carr said he is used to other team's trying to throw him off his game with an abundance of traffic, he can't be enjoying it.
He mentioned that the Raiders were getting a lot of puck-luck, the beneficiaries a bunch of favourable bounces off of sticks and pants on their goals.
But that's hockey. Teams that generate traffic in front of the net are likely to be rewarded in spades. It's simply what they're going to have to continue doing to beat a big, active goalie like Carr.
That net presence will be the key to Nepean's success for the remainder of the series.
By that's exactly what he was in the Raiders' game 4 win on Tuesday night.
The hulking blue-liner was a presence in front of Cornwall Colts goaltender Doug Carr on every Raiders' power play, scoring the tying goal at 16:56 of the second period.
With eight goals during the CJHL regular season, the tally was Moisan's first goal of the series.
Moisan was usually joined by another teammate, the pair making life as miserable as possible for Carr.
Although Carr said he is used to other team's trying to throw him off his game with an abundance of traffic, he can't be enjoying it.
He mentioned that the Raiders were getting a lot of puck-luck, the beneficiaries a bunch of favourable bounces off of sticks and pants on their goals.
But that's hockey. Teams that generate traffic in front of the net are likely to be rewarded in spades. It's simply what they're going to have to continue doing to beat a big, active goalie like Carr.
That net presence will be the key to Nepean's success for the remainder of the series.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Shot deferential a concern after game 1
The Nepean Raiders did what head coach Peter Goulet wanted by staying out of the penalty box.
Unfortunately it didn't help them get their desired result in game 1 of their playoff series
The Raiders dropped a 3-2 decision to the Cornwall Colts last night, despite only taking three minor infractions -- all of which were killed off.
Although disciplined, the latest concern would have to be the amount of shots they surrendered.
Goaltender Michel Kowalew faced 50 shots in game 1, turning aside 47 of them. He was named the game's second star for his efforts.
On the other hand, Nepean was only able to propel 16 pucks at Colts netminder Doug Carr, a trend that will have to change in order to beat the league's top stopper.
Game 2 goes tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Nepean Sportsplex.
Unfortunately it didn't help them get their desired result in game 1 of their playoff series
The Raiders dropped a 3-2 decision to the Cornwall Colts last night, despite only taking three minor infractions -- all of which were killed off.
Although disciplined, the latest concern would have to be the amount of shots they surrendered.
Goaltender Michel Kowalew faced 50 shots in game 1, turning aside 47 of them. He was named the game's second star for his efforts.
On the other hand, Nepean was only able to propel 16 pucks at Colts netminder Doug Carr, a trend that will have to change in order to beat the league's top stopper.
Game 2 goes tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the Nepean Sportsplex.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Avoiding sin bin key key to having playoff success: Goulet
Peter Goulet will be preaching discipline heading into his team's opening round series against the Cornwall Colts.
The Nepean Raiders head coach and general manager wasn't pleased as he watched his team parade to the penalty box in 9-6 and 6-0 losses to the Pembroke Lumber Kings and Colts to start off the last weekend, a trend that he says can't continue in the postseason.
"We took some undisciplined penalties on Friday night and Saturday," he said. "It's hard to get any flow going when that happens."
In total the Raiders took 10 minor penalties in Friday's game, plus a tripping major by captain Corey Domenico. In Saturday's contest 11 Nepean players served two minutes or less, with an additional four fighting majors.
Goulet did find some solace in his team's composure in their season finale against the Kemptville 73's last Sunday though.
"We've been struggling down the stretch, it's no secret," he said. "Sunday we were able to battle back. We were down 3-1 and scored two goals in the last 10 minutes and won in a shootout.
"We were a little more disciplined in that game so it made a difference."
After four games in five days to close out the season, the Raiders were given both yesterday and today off from the practice ice.
The players will now be preparing for tomorrow night at 7:30 in Cornwall.
The Raiders were 1-4 against Cornwall this year, but Goulet believes if his team stays focused, they have a good chance to come out on top.
"It should be a great series," he said. "They've got a great hockey team. We've got a good team.
"The team that wants in more and can be disciplined will win I think. It should be interesting."
While Goulet cited the goaltending match up -- and solving Cornwall's Doug Carr -- as a critical point in the series, when push comes to shove it all comes down to the D-word.
"At the end of the day, we've got to be disciplined," he said.
The Nepean Raiders head coach and general manager wasn't pleased as he watched his team parade to the penalty box in 9-6 and 6-0 losses to the Pembroke Lumber Kings and Colts to start off the last weekend, a trend that he says can't continue in the postseason.
"We took some undisciplined penalties on Friday night and Saturday," he said. "It's hard to get any flow going when that happens."
In total the Raiders took 10 minor penalties in Friday's game, plus a tripping major by captain Corey Domenico. In Saturday's contest 11 Nepean players served two minutes or less, with an additional four fighting majors.
Goulet did find some solace in his team's composure in their season finale against the Kemptville 73's last Sunday though.
"We've been struggling down the stretch, it's no secret," he said. "Sunday we were able to battle back. We were down 3-1 and scored two goals in the last 10 minutes and won in a shootout.
"We were a little more disciplined in that game so it made a difference."
After four games in five days to close out the season, the Raiders were given both yesterday and today off from the practice ice.
The players will now be preparing for tomorrow night at 7:30 in Cornwall.
The Raiders were 1-4 against Cornwall this year, but Goulet believes if his team stays focused, they have a good chance to come out on top.
"It should be a great series," he said. "They've got a great hockey team. We've got a good team.
"The team that wants in more and can be disciplined will win I think. It should be interesting."
While Goulet cited the goaltending match up -- and solving Cornwall's Doug Carr -- as a critical point in the series, when push comes to shove it all comes down to the D-word.
"At the end of the day, we've got to be disciplined," he said.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Tough weekend leaves Raiders in sixth place
The last weekend of the season didn't exactly go according to plan for the Nepean Raiders.
With a goal of rounding into playoff form, and subsequently earning a fifth-place seeding in the CJHL, Nepean dropped back-to-back decisions last Friday and Saturday -- 6-0 to the Pembroke Lumber Kings and 9-6 to the Cornwall Colts.
While the Raiders rebounded with a 4-3 victory over the Kemptville 73's last Sunday, the two losses had already sealed their fate. They finished sixth in the league and will now take on the Colts in a difficult opening round match up.
Cornwall won four of the five games between the two teams this season.
The series begins Thursday night in Cornwall, with game 2 scheduled for the following night at the Nepean Sportsplex. Both contests start at 7:30 p.m.
With a goal of rounding into playoff form, and subsequently earning a fifth-place seeding in the CJHL, Nepean dropped back-to-back decisions last Friday and Saturday -- 6-0 to the Pembroke Lumber Kings and 9-6 to the Cornwall Colts.
While the Raiders rebounded with a 4-3 victory over the Kemptville 73's last Sunday, the two losses had already sealed their fate. They finished sixth in the league and will now take on the Colts in a difficult opening round match up.
Cornwall won four of the five games between the two teams this season.
The series begins Thursday night in Cornwall, with game 2 scheduled for the following night at the Nepean Sportsplex. Both contests start at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, March 5, 2010
The playoffs are coming
Welcome, Raiders fans!
This blog will be the place to be for anything and everything Nepean Raiders. Gamers, breaking news, and commentary, this and future postings will have it all.
So let's get started...
With only three games left in the regular season, the Nepean Raiders are gearing up for what they hope will be a long playoff run.
In talking with centre Andrew Calof yesterday, the team is focused on closing out its season on a strong note to ensure a better seeding heading into the postseason.
http://www.yourottawaregion.com/sports/article/626987--raiders-calof-earns-praise-for-academics
The Raiders are currently in fourth spot in the Yzerman Division, two points behind the Ottawa Jr. Senators, and good for sixth place in the league.
If Nepean can pass Ottawa in the final weekend of the season, it will face off against a much easier opponent in the first round of the playoffs.
The fifth-place finisher will play the Gloucester Rangers -- who sit fourth overall with 76 points -- in a best-of-seven series, whereas the a sixth-place ranking will mean a match up with the Cornwall Colts. The Colts currently have 85 points and will be a tough opponent with the league's top goaltender Doug Carr manning the net.
The Raiders have daunting task ahead of them in their three contests however.
Beginning tonight at the Nepean Sportsplex, Nepean will play the first-place Pembroke Lumber Kings, the Colts in Cornwall on Saturday, and the Kemptville 73's on Sunday.
The 73's have also punched their playoff ticket.
Stay tuned...
This blog will be the place to be for anything and everything Nepean Raiders. Gamers, breaking news, and commentary, this and future postings will have it all.
So let's get started...
With only three games left in the regular season, the Nepean Raiders are gearing up for what they hope will be a long playoff run.
In talking with centre Andrew Calof yesterday, the team is focused on closing out its season on a strong note to ensure a better seeding heading into the postseason.
http://www.yourottawaregion.com/sports/article/626987--raiders-calof-earns-praise-for-academics
The Raiders are currently in fourth spot in the Yzerman Division, two points behind the Ottawa Jr. Senators, and good for sixth place in the league.
If Nepean can pass Ottawa in the final weekend of the season, it will face off against a much easier opponent in the first round of the playoffs.
The fifth-place finisher will play the Gloucester Rangers -- who sit fourth overall with 76 points -- in a best-of-seven series, whereas the a sixth-place ranking will mean a match up with the Cornwall Colts. The Colts currently have 85 points and will be a tough opponent with the league's top goaltender Doug Carr manning the net.
The Raiders have daunting task ahead of them in their three contests however.
Beginning tonight at the Nepean Sportsplex, Nepean will play the first-place Pembroke Lumber Kings, the Colts in Cornwall on Saturday, and the Kemptville 73's on Sunday.
The 73's have also punched their playoff ticket.
Stay tuned...
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