Recorder & Times Staff
As winter weather arrived outside, Brockville took care of business inside.
The Jr. A Braves defeated the Rockland Nationals 3-1 in front of a modest crowd of 253 at the Memorial Centre on Friday night. The victory moved Brockville up a notch to fifth place overall in the 12-team CCHL.
There was no scoring on Friday until after the game’s midway point. Evan Boucher scored his 15th goal of the season to give the Braves a 1-0 lead at 11:12 of the second period. Ryan Bonfield’s third goal with Brockville and his ninth of the year came 69 seconds before intermission and would prove to be the game-winner.
Rockland pulled its goaltender and cut the lead in half with 1:36 left in regulation; it was Tucker Shields’ fifth goal of the season. The Nationals were unable to score the equalizer; Boucher’s empty-netter and second goal of the night went in with about three seconds on the clock.
Boucher remains second in the league in goals, trailing Brady Egan of Pembroke.
Brockville outshot Rockland 34-23. Brandon Abbott picked up the win in net for the Braves.
Bonfield and teammate Thomas Haynes were named first and second stars respectively. Third star went to Nationals goalie Jack McGovern, who made 31 saves in the loss.
Brockville (13-7-0-2) will play Kemptville (14-6-2-1) at the North Grenville Municipal Centre on Sunday at 2 p.m. The 73’s edged Navan 3-2 on Friday night. Kemptville and Brockville are second and third in the Robinson Division standings; the 73’s are third overall.
With the loss in Brockville, Rockland’s record falls to 5-13-2-1. The Nationals are in a three-way tie for fewest points in the league.
Original Story at Recorder.ca
