Rockets’ home opener celebrated
The North Dundas Rockets hosted their 2019-20 home opener on Sat., Oct. 5, as they welcomed the Gatineau Hull-Volant to the Chesterville Arena. Representing long-time sponsors Louis’ Restaurant and Chesterville Pharmachoice were Donna Beckstead and Shannon Barkley, the two had the honour to drop the ceremonial pucks to officially open the 2019-20 NCJHL season. The captains, Brody Barkley of the North Dundas Rockets and Jeremy Trudeau of the Volant meet at centre ice for the tradition. Moore photo

CHESTERVILLE—The North Dundas Rockets played one game this past weekend as they welcomed the Gatineau Hull-Volant on Saturday night.

Volant 5 Rockets 4

The North Dundas Rockets welcomed the Gatineau Hull-Volant to the Chesterville Arena on Sat., Oct. 5 in the NCJHL. The Rockets were coming off a bye week, after beating the Morrisburg Lions 6-2 at the NCJHL Showcase in their season opener. The Volant were playing their fourth game of the season after winning one and losing a pair. 

The Rockets opened the scoring when Brett Lannin launched one from the point to the back of the net at 4:02 of the first period unassisted taking a 1-0 lead. The Rockets made it 2-0 when Brad Nash pounded home a rebound from Joel Hunt and Lannin at 11:55 on the power play. The Rockets took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission. 

The North Dundas Rockets welcomed the Gatineau Hull-Volant to the Chesterville Arena on Sat., Oct. 5, in the NCJHL. The Rockets’ forward, Cole Hodges (8) centres the puck as the Volant goaltender bobbles it, but unfortunately for the Rockets there was nobody there to tap it home. The Rockets suffered a 5-4 loss but they remain positive about the future.

The Volant cut the deficit in half just 37 seconds into the second period and tied the game at 1:19. The Volant took their first lead of the game at 3:51 but the Rockets tied it up at 12:27 as William Watson swatted one home from Cam Sherrer and Xavier Langevin on the power play. The Volant retook the lead at 13:30 and took a 4-3 lead into the second intermission.

 The Volant made it 5-3 at 6:20 of the third period but the Rockets got back to within one as Hunt snapped one home from Cameron Brown and Brodie Barkley at 10:21. 

The Rockets pulled their goalie in favour of an extra attacker but the Volant were able to hold the Rockets at bay, taking the game 5-4; handing the Rockets their first loss of the season. The Rockets still maintain second place in the West Division but now have company with the West Carleton Inferno catching them. 

The Volant outshot the Rockets 33-22. Suffering the loss in the Rockets’ goal was Caleb Gervais making 28 saves.

Up next

The North Dundas Rockets welcome the St. Isidore Eagles to the Chesterville Arena on Sat., Oct. 12 at 7:30 p.m. and travel to the W. Erskine Johnston Arena in Carp on Sun., Oct. 13 to take on the West Carleton Inferno at 4:10 p.m.