The North Dundas Rockets travelled to the Morrisburg Arena on Sun., Nov. 25, to take on the Lions in the NCJHL. The Rockets’ captain, Brad Stitt scored here as he roofed the puck over the Lions’ goalie, Riley Phillips as the Rockets jumped out to an early 1-0 lead. The hardworking forward, scored his second goal five minutes later and also picked up an assist as the Rockets took the game 5-3. Moore photo

Jeff Moore
Record Staff
MORRISBURG—The North Dundas Rockets were to play two games this past weekend but due to a freezing rain warning their home game Saturday night against the West Carleton Inferno was postponed. The Rockets did make it to Morrisburg Sunday afternoon to take on the Lions.

Rockets 5 Lions 3

The Morrisburg Lions welcomed their affiliated player and Williamsburg native Kayne McCadden to their lineup. McCadden played for the Brockville U18 Braves of the HEO AAA Midget League. McCadden picked up a helper but it wasn’t enough as the Lions went onto drop the game to the North Dundas Rockets 5-3. Moore photo

The Rockets sat four points behind the first place South Grenville Rangers in the West Division after the Rangers beat the Jets in their previous game. The Lions, who beat the Rockets earlier in the season sat in fourth place with just three wins in the season.

The Rockets opened the scoring when Brad Stitt scored on a breakaway unassisted at 6:21 of the first period taking a 1-0 lead. Stitt scored his second of the game at 10:08 as he slammed one home from the right side of the net from Brad Nash and Justin Lefebvre to give the Rockets a 2-0 lead.

The Rockets made it 3-0 when Lefebvre blasted one to the back of the net from State and Connor Roth at the 14-minute mark on the power play. The Rockets took the 3-0 lead into the first intermission.

The Lions cut into the deficit at 15:19 of the second period as Hayden Hoerner scored from Aaron Smith and Justin Shay to make it 3-1. The Lions got to within one as Francis Chartrand let one rip from the point from Zach Leblanc and Brandon Cameron at 16:55 on the power play.

The Rockets restored their two-goal lead when Roth sniped one from the left side of the net from Sebastien Roy and Brody Barkley with 1:54 remaining in the middle frame. The Rockets took a 4-2 lead into the second intermission.

The Lions closed the gap as Graham Robertson snapped one home from affiliated player and Williamsburg native, Kayne McCadden and Devon Burns at 6:04. The Lions pressed for the equalizer and had a great chance with just over three minutes remaining as the Rockets took a pair of penalties giving them a five on three power play.

The Rockets killed off the power play and with 2:56 remaining Cam Brown pounded one home from the point from Justin Lefebvre. After the goal Brown celebrated in front of the Lions’ bench; they did not appreciate that as the fireworks went off. As a result, the teams combined for 55 penalty minutes from just the one stoppage.

After the dust settled the Rockets took the game 5-3 handing the Lions their 12th loss of the season. The Lions outshot the Rockets 45-35. With the win, the Rockets moved back to within two points of the Rangers.

Picking up the win in the Rockets’ goal was Reilly Tondreau making 42 saves and suffering the loss for the Lions was Riley Phillips making 30 saves.

Up next

The North Dundas Rockets welcome the Clarence Castors to the Chesterville Arena on Sat., Dec. 1, at 7:30 p.m.

The Morrisburg Lions travel to the W. Erskine Johnston in Carp on Sat., Dec. 1, to take on the West Carleton Inferno at 8:15 p.m. and welcome the Vankleek Hill Cougars to the Morrisburg Arena on Sun., Dec. 2, at 2:15 p.m.