The Rockland Nationals remain the only undefeated team in the CCHL.
With wins against the Ottawa Junior Senators and the Navan Grads last weekend, the Nats improve to 8-0.
At home against the Junior Senators
The Nats started their week welcoming the Ottawa Junior Senators in a home matchup on Friday, Oct. 4. Rockland captain Josh O’Connor scored his first goal of the season, while Trystan Felix Tremblay also scored for the team.
Gabriel Le Houillier’s second goal of the season proved to be the game winner, giving Rockland the 3-2 win.
Season Hogan made 17 of 19 saves, earning the win in goal for the Nats.
Close one against Navan
The Nats hit the road the following day, on Saturday, Oct. 5, to face off against the Navan Grads.
It was another close contest between the rivals, with Rockland edging past Navan by a score of 3-2.
Alex Kelloway led the way for Rockland, scoring two goals, his third and fourth goals of the season, including the game winning marker. Benoit Forget was in goal for Rockland, earning the win with a 24 save performance.
Total team effort
The Nats are tied for the lead league in goals (34) with the Cornwall Colts and have allowed a CCHL low 11 goals during the eight-game winning streak.
“Our best attribute is that we are deep,” said forward and captain Josh O’Connor, who celebrated his first goal of the season in the victory over the Junior Sens last Friday. “We can roll four lines that can make a difference. It can start to wear teams out and makes a difference.”
Head coach Justin Pereria was impressed with his team’s performance during the latest string of games.
“We are putting an emphasis on puck pressure, and our tracking of the puck has been really good,” he said. “The boys played well and to win, you need four lines, six defence and solid goaltending. We are 100 per cent getting everyone to buy in to what we want.”
The Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) announced on Monday, Oct. 7 that the Nationals remain the number one ranked team in their latest rankings.
Up next
The Nats look to extend their winning streak to nine games when they welcome the Pembroke Lumber Kings in a home matchup on Friday, Oct. 11.
For more information, visit rocklandjnationalsjuniora.com.
