Last night, the Ottawa Jr Senators scored more than four goals in a single game for the first time this season to defeat the Cornwall Colts and get their first road win of the year. The team now has points in their last five games with a 4-0-0-1 record in that time.
“We’ve played two games on the road and they were a loss and a shootout loss, so that’s our first good victory on the road,” said Clement Valette. “It’s good to take the win, having the boys hype and happy about the result.”
Prior to the opening puck drop, the Colts had CCHL Commissioner Jesse Winchester, a former Colt, drop the puck at centre ice to mark Cornwall’s first game inside the Ed Lumley Arena this season. They had been playing out of the Benson Centre prior to last night’s contest.
Ottawa’s Cedrik St. Pierre silenced the hometown crowd early by deflecting Cameron McCormack’s point shot into the back of the net. At the conclusion of the tight opening period, Ottawa had a slim one-goal lead heading into the intermission.
The two sides exchanged goals in the second period, leading to a 2-1 score after 40 minutes of play. Rookie forward Brandon Rockwell was credited with the goal for Cornwall, while Ottawa’s Wynston Iserhoff scored on the power play to regain the Jr Sens lead.
The two sides entered into a complex dance in the third wherein Ottawa would take multiple two-goal leads without managing to pull away from the pesky Colts, who scored at critical moments to stay within shooting distance of their opponent.
Valette scored two goals in the third, one of which was an empty-net goal. He now has three goals in the last three games. While he enjoys getting the goals, he’s happier knowing his coach trusts him in empty-net scenarios.
“It’s a team effort to get the lead and get the puck out,” said Valette after the game. “It’s nice to know the coaches trust me for those few minutes at the end of the game.”
Caleb Mead’s fourth goal of the year was the eventual game-winner.
This is an important week for Ottawa, seeing as the team is scheduled to play three away games in four days. Picking up two points in Cornwall puts them in a great position going into tonight and Sunday.
Tonight, they will face the sixth-place Braves in Brockville with the opportunity to jump into second overall if they win. Puck drop is set for 7:30.
