The Embrun Panthers had a busy weekend on the ice, falling short in a hard-fought 5–3 loss to the Renfrew Timberwolves on Friday, October 3, before bouncing back with a convincing 6–3 win over the Richmond Royals on Sunday, October 5.
The Panthers opened their weekend at home against Renfrew, outshooting the Timberwolves 48–35 but unable to capitalize on enough chances to take the win.
Yanick Blanchard had a standout performance, scoring twice, including a power-play marker in the first period, assisted by Xavier Boulanger and Andrew Lankester, at 7:54. The Timberwolves then took the lead during the period, scoring two goals.
During the second period, Alexis Methot, assisted by Boulanger and Nichita Viscu, added another goal at 1:28, but the Timberwolves once again scored two more goals.
During the third period, Blanchard’s second goal came off strong playmaking from Lankester and Methot at 7:32, after the opposing team scored one more goal, ending the game with a 5-3 loss.
Despite Embrun’s strong offensive push, Renfrew’s goaltender stood tall, turning aside 45 shots. Embrun goalie, Sébastien Bourgeau, made 30 saves in the effort.
The matchup saw plenty of physical play, with both teams combining for more than 50 penalty minutes for a total of 14 penalties, six of which given to the Panthers.
Panthers Bounce Back in Richmond with 6–3 Victory
Two days later, the Panthers rebounded with a dominant performance against the Richmond Royals, firing 50 shots and finding the back of the net six times.
The first period saw two goals from the Panthers, the first by Owen Raine, assisted by Camden Cunningham-Fetch, at 11:16. Around two minutes later, Zachaël Mongeon, assisted by Viscu and Yanick Blanchard.
During the second period, the Panthers scored a third goal by Wyatt Leblanc, assisted by Kazuya Armstrong, at 10:10, before the Richmond Roylas scored their first two goals.
The third period saw two more goals by the Panthers. The first by Ethan Lamey, assisted by Methot and Frederic Solesme, at 12:05. Another by Ryan Pomerleau, assisted by Cunningham-Fetch and Leblanc, at 17:43, before the Royals scored their first goal of the period. Mongeon, assisted by Blanchard and Lankester, scored the last goal of the game at 18:33.
Goaltender Jackson Howell was solid between the goal posts, turning aside 38 of 41 shots to secure the win.
During the game, 14 penalties were given, six of which were for the Panthers.
Looking Ahead
The Panthers will meet the Carleton Place Jr Canadians on the ice on Friday, October 10, at 8 p.m. at the Embrun Arena and again the next day at 7:30 p.m. at the Carleton Place Arena on Rink 1.
