VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS: Braves Downed Navan Grads 7-3 Friday in CCHL

Brockville – The Brockville Braves downed the Navan Grads 7-3 on Friday night in CCHL action at the Memorial Centre.

I wasn’t that far off! It took them till the 2nd period to get rolling. Thankfully, the goaltending and defence held the fort during the 1st period.

It was in the middle frame that the high-octane offence caught fire. They peppered Grad’s tender Edouard Blais with 15 shots and converted 4 of them for goals, giving them a 4-2 lead at the end of the second.

The scoring parade was started by Ryan McNally (5-9-14) just 2 minutes into the period. Peter “Big Train” Legostaev (7-4-11) continued the onslaught less than a minute later, converting a Jack Lowry (4-4-8) pass. In that minute in between goals, defensive stalwart Will Brauer (1-4-5) was banished from the game for fighting.

An event that was initiated by Harwick grabbing his facemask. Andrew Mark (2-2-4) got his 1st of the year, a shortie, while Legostaev was serving an interference infraction. Before his penalty expired, the Grads went back into the game with a goal by D’Urso (2-0-2).

This was followed shortly by another Grad’s goal, this time it was Damien Poulin (1-3-4) pulling the trigger. Liam “Dirty” Harry (2-5-7) gave the Braves a little breathing room before the period ended with his 2nd of the season, assisted by Dervish (0-1-1) and Mark. The teams went to the dressing room with the score 4 – 2 for the hometown Braves.

The Braves didn’t take their foot off the gas as Captain Kayden Buller (4-3-7) continued his strong start to the season with a marker, assists going to Legostaev and McNally. A couple of minutes later, Mathieu Paris (4-4-8) scored the Grads’ last goal.

Peter Legostaev continued his hot pace ( 7 goals in 4 games). Helpers are going to McNally and Harry. Andrew Mark, with his 2nd goal of the game (and season) closed out the scoring with assists going to two PONY EXPRESS line members, Jesse Lumsden (2-3-5) and Aidan Carolan (0-5-5).

Strong goaltending and timely defensive play allowed the offence to roll in these last two periods.

The three stars were all from the Braves:

• Andrew Mark
• Liam Harry
• Peter Legostaev.

The Braves will host the Ottawa Junior Senators this Friday night at the Memorial Centre. The puck drops at 7:30 pm.

Game Summary:

1st Period:

No Scoring.

Penalties-Harris Bro (high sticking), 8:16; Lindsay Nav (slashing), 11:49; Knight Nav (cross checking), 14:55.

2nd Period:

1, Brockville, McNally 5 (Legostaev, Brauer), 2:04. 2, Brockville, Legostaev 6 (Lowry), 3:02 (PP). 3, Brockville, Mark 1 (Buller, Harry), 6:36 (SH). 4, Navan, D’Urso 2 (Kaufman, Paris), 7:55 (PP). 5, Navan, Poulin 1 (Meireles, Fitzpatrick), 8:32. 6, Brockville, Harry 2 (Dervish, Mark), 9:13.

Penalties-Hartwick Nav (instigator, fighting, game misconduct), 2:50; Brauer Bro (fighting, game misconduct), 2:50; Legostaev Bro (interference), 6:17; Johnson Nav (roughing), 10:02; Lindsay Nav (goalie interference), 13:51.

3rd Period:

7, Brockville, Buller 4 (Legostaev, McNally), 9:44. 8, Navan, Paris 4 (Barlas, Kaufman), 12:07 (PP). 9, Brockville, Legostaev 7 (McNally, Harry), 12:54. 10, Brockville, Mark 2 (Lumsden, Carolan), 17:14 (SH).

Penalties-Cuglietta Bro (too many men), 11:27; Lowry Bro (tripping), 15:37.

Shots on Goal:
Navan 7-13-8-28. Brockville 9-15-7-31.

Power Play Opportunities:
Navan 2 / 4; Brockville 1 / 5.

Goalies:
Navan, Blais 2-2-0-1 (31 shots-24 saves). Brockville, Galbraith 3-2-0-0 (28 shots-25 saves).