The Napanee Raiders claimed a pivotal victory against the Amherstview Jets, winning 6-3 on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, to keep their playoff hopes alive during the PJHL semifinal series. This marked their first win of the series, narrowing the Jets' lead to 2-1.
The game took place at the W.J. Henderson Arena, where the Raiders, under pressure to perform, showed resilience and determination. The first period saw the Jets take the lead with an early goal, leaving the Raiders trailing at 1-0.
Trent Williams, who had been one of the team's top performers throughout the season, ignited the Raiders' scoring hopes by tying the game at 1-1 just before the halfway mark of the second period. His effort was quickly followed by star player Michael Patrick, who scored twice within seconds, flipping the game around to give Napanee a 3-2 lead.
Just when it seemed the Raiders had the upper hand, the Jets responded dramatically. Colby Cross managed to score with just two seconds remaining in the second period, tying the game again at 3-3 and setting the stage for what would be a tense final period.
Determined to not let their hard work go to waste, the Raiders rallied once more. Michael Patrick netted his third goal, completing a hat trick and putting the Raiders up 4-3. His performance was described by editor Adam Prudhomme as "clutch," highlighting his leadership on the ice. Patrick’s hat trick came at the most opportune time, exemplifying his role as the team's leading scorer during the regular season.
With confidence now surging, the Raiders added two more goals from Trent Williams and Blake Aylesworth, solidifying their lead and securing the win with a final score of 6-3. This victory was more than just numbers; it was hailed as "a character win" for Napanee, emphasizing their grit and ability to bounce back from setbacks encountered earlier in the series.
The overall shots on goal reflected the Raiders' dominance, with 34 shots aimed at the Jets’ net compared to 29 against Raider goalie Logan Vale. This statistic underscored their offensive efforts and the drive to reclaim control of the match after falling behind.
Despite the loss, the Jets maintained their lead in the best-of-seven series. Still, the Raiders showcased their fighting spirit, demonstrating they are not ready to bow out of the competition just yet. Looking forward, the teams will engage again for Game 4 on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at Amherstview, following this momentum-shifting win.
The significance of each upcoming match looms large, with Game 5 scheduled to take place at Napanee’s Best and Bash Arena on Friday, March 14, 2025. If needed, Game 6 will occur on March 16, 2025, at Amherstview, and potentially, Game 7 could return to Napanee on March 18, 2025. The stakes remain high, and fans can expect nothing less than electrifying hockey.
For those unable to attend the games, live coverage will be available on 88.7 myFM, with Trevor Struthers providing play-by-play commentary, ensuring all supporters can follow the team's progress as they strive for victory.