NATIONALS COME OUT ON TOP IN HIGH SCORING GAME AGAINST KOMOKA

On Wednesday night, the Nationals opened up their home game against the Komoka Kings in penalty trouble with a delay of game before the puck even dropped. The Nationals were able to kill the penalty and keep the pace going throughout the first period. The Kings got into some penalty trouble racking up four penalties, two by Cameron Welch for boarding including a 10- minute misconduct at 6:18, and two by Carson Pearce for cross-checking at 10:24 and 19:48. The Nationals had several great chances but were unable to capitalize on their power play opportunities in the first period. The Nationals outshot the kings 14-6 in the first period and went into the second period on the power play. Both teams generated a lot more action on net in the second period. The National’s Cal Davis opened the scoring by capitalizing on the power play with a shot at the top of the circle at 4:02. The Kings reacted quickly with a goal by Cameron Welch almost a minute later to tie up the score. Komoka found themselves in penalty trouble again as Josh Wright received a slashing penalty at 5:36. London was unable to capitalize during the power play however, they had a great 2-on-1 from Christian Poillo to George Diaco shortly after the penalty expired to give them the lead again at 7:52. A quick shot on net by James Turner from the goal line created an odd bounce out to Wes Dobbin to bury the puck making it 3-1 for the Nationals at 10:12, the last goal of the period. The third period started off at a very fast pace with great pressure by both teams. An unlucky bounce from a shot behind the net by the King’s Joel Mazzilli made the score 3-2 at 6:15. A cross-checking penalty by Austin Jeffers at 11:22 put the Nationals on the penalty kill. The King’s generated lots of pressure during their power play and tied the game at 12:33. However, the Nationals reacted quickly with a great offensive rush a minute later resulting in a goal by Adam Keyes. Nearing the end of the game Jukka Schotter made a big save which drew a big reaction from the crowd. Josh Castle was able to score an empty net goal to solidify the Nationals 5-3 win at 19:10. The next home game is Wednesday, January 23rd at 7 pm against the Strathroy Rockets.