The Nats shut down the Nepean Raiders 5-0 last Friday night, on the main rink at the Canadian International Hockey Academy in Rockland. Rockland outscored Nepean, including three unanswered goals in second period, and also outshot the visiting team at 40 goal attempts compared to 19.

Daniel Menges was named First Star of the Game with two goals to his credit, while Alex Fréchette was nominated for Third Star with an unassisted goal in the second period. Also scoring for Rockland were Noah Doyle and Cole Craft.

Last Sunday’s home game against the Hawks proved more challenging for the Nats with both teams almost even for shots-on-goal at 27 for Rockland and 25 for Hawkesbury. The key to the win for Rockland proved to be an unanswered goal, which Aidan Hilton scored for Rockland near the end of the first period, with help from Jack Miles and Cameron Scrivens.

Scores in the second and third periods were split between two for Rockland and one for Hawkesbury in the second period, then two for the Hawks and one for the Nats in the third period. Simon Labelle scored a short-handed game-winning point for Rockland halfway through the final period, with assists from Gunnar Smith and Cameron Pound. Both Labelle and Smith earned first- and second-star nominations for their efforts during the game.

Rockland hosts the Cornwall Colts January 17. The Nats are in Pembroke January 19 and then come home January 22 to host the Navan Grads.