Ottawa, Ontario – The Ottawa West Golden Knights (3-1-1) snapped their two game skid with a 3-1 win over the Embrun Panthers (1-6-1) on Thursday night at the Barbara Ann Scott Arena in West Ottawa.
Daniel Goulet opened the scoring just over a minute into the second period after Daniel Startis point shot was blocked and was put away on the rebound with a backhander.
Graeme Rodgers gave West a 2-0 lead just over five minutes later. He walked into the slot and made no mistake, firing a wrist-shot top corner.
After Embruns’s Aiden Whynot made it a 2-1 game going into the third, Daniel Goulet scored his second of night, tapping in a centering pass from Marco Haw. That put the game away, as Ottawa West was able to pick up their first win at the Barbara Ann Scott Arena.
After the first period, Ottawa West were out-shooting Embrun 19-7 but were still scoreless. Head Coach Steve Sundin says they just needed traffic at the net.
“All I said was that we’re getting shots through but we’re not getting any traffic,” said Sundin.
The Golden Knights out-shot the Panthers 44-33 in the win. Daniel Goulet finished with two goals and an assist while his line-mates Marco Haw (1A) and Graeme Rodgers (1G/2A) contributed.
All three of West’s goals were scored via their second line of Goulet, Rodgers and Haw. Golden Knights Head Coach Steve Sundin said that it was by far their best line.
“I expected this to be our best line because they’re three talented kids.”
Steve Sundin said the reason why he put Rodgers and Haw on the same unit is because they were teammates in the Nepean Raiders U18 program last year.
“They gelled together last year so I figured it would just take some time. That’s going to be a dynamite line for us.”
Daniel Goulet said the addition of Rodgers to his line is huge.
“I think we have a lot of speed and he (Rodgers) helps going down the ice getting pucks to the net and that’s huge for us.”
Tonight the Golden Knights second line of Goulet, Rodgers and Haw contributed for all three goals and combined for seven points. Goulet believes that his play style complements both Haw and Rodgers.
“I’m more of the power-forward. I don’t usualy get this many points but I’m more of a passer and I don’t shoot the puck often but that’s something I’d like to improve.”
Both of Goulet goals were bounces with traffic in front of the net. Something Steve Sundin also addressed in the first intermission.
“Goulet goal was just a shot from the point that he tapped in and his second one was just another chip in but we went to the net hard tonight and that’s really important.”
The Golden Knights have now scored first in all five games played this year and scored their first power-play goal since the Opening Showcase on September 15th.
This also marked first of three games this week for the Golden Knights. They take on the Brockville Tikis on Saturday at 12:30 p.m and the Casselman Vikings on Sunday night at 7:30.
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