Napanee Raiders comeback falls one goal short
Article content
A two-goal surge in the final 67 seconds of the second period boosted the Hanover Barons into a 4-1 lead and they survived a two-goal assault in the last few minutes of the third to beat the visiting Napanee Raiders, 4-3, and force a seventh and deciding game in their Provincial Junior Hockey League semifinal.
Article content
With the series now tied 3-3, Game 7 is scheduled for Thursday at 8 p.m. and is expected to be played in front of a full house of 1,000-plus at Napanee's Best and Bash Arena. The winner will advance to the Clarence Schmalz Cup final against the Essex 73s, who beat the New Hamburg Firebirds in the other semifinal, 4-1.
Article content
Article content
Napanee and Hanover traded first-period goals, with Raiders defenceman Erik MacNiel opening the scoring at 7:57 on a power play and Barons forward Mark McIntosh replying 15 seconds later.
Article content
Article content
Curtis Arnold put Hanover up 2-1 at 6:12 of the second period, setting the stage for a late-period offensive outburst that proved to provide the Barons with enough goals for the win. McIntosh, with his second goal of the game and league-leading 21st of the post-season, scored at 18:53 and was followed at 19:59 by Ryan Colquhoun.
Article content
'We were playing a very solid game and creating lots of chances in the second period … and in the last two minutes we made two mistakes that led to two goals, simple as that,' Napanee head coach Ben Hagerman said.
Article content
'(Hanover) is so powerful offensively that they do not need many chances to score, and as soon as we gave them too much time and space and allowed them to skate through the neutral zone, they were able to capitalize, and that was truly the difference in the hockey game.'
Article content
The score remained 4-1 until the last two-plus minutes of the third period. Napanee's Andrew Carr, at 17:13, notched his team-leading 17th marker of the post-season, and Michael Patrick, at 18:41, tallied to make it a 4-3 game and keep the Raiders alive. A head contact penalty to Christos Chronis 18 seconds later, however, ended the threat.
Article content
'I was proud of the way the guys continued to play hard and push to create scoring chances,' Hagerman said. 'We actually had some really good opportunities to score before our second goal as well. After the third goal, we had lots of momentum, and puck possession … unfortunately we took a penalty and that made it really challenging to score.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Raiders coordinator Patrick Graham embraces learning from Pete Carroll's defensive expertise
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Pete Carroll, like Antonio Pierce just a year prior, retained Patrick Graham as the Raiders' defensive coordinator even after both took over the program and largely cleaned house. Keeping Graham was a testament to the respect both coaches have for the job he has done in Las Vegas. The defense was Graham's to run as he saw fit under Pierce and Josh McDaniels before him, but how much autonomy he will have under Carroll is something to watch. Carroll is a defensive-minded head coach known for creating the famed Legion of Boom in Seattle that was pivotal to the Seahawks making back-to-back Super Bowls and winning one in a 43-8 blowout over Denver. 'Any time you get a chance to work with someone with that experience, that level of success, I couldn't be happier … just in terms of to bounce ideas off of him and hear different ways of doing things,' Graham said after practice Wednesday. 'It's been really beneficial for my growth, if I'm being selfish. It's just something really good and positive for me. The track record, I mean, why wouldn't you listen? It's been great.' The Raiders likely are far from those great Seahawks defenses, but led by end Maxx Crosby, they aren't devoid of talent. This was a top-10 defense just two years ago, allowing 19.5 points per game. Even more was expected last year before that side of the ball was decimated by injuries beginning in training camp when pass rusher Malcolm Koonce suffered a season-ending torn ACL. Las Vegas gave up nearly an additional touchdown per game, dropping to a tie for 25th with Cincinnati. But even during those struggles, the Graham-led makeshift defense found a way to hold six consecutive opponents to fewer than 20 points during one stretch in the season's second half. Now the challenge is fitting in new players after watching key components such as linebackers Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo and defensive backs Nate Hobbs and Tre'von Moehrig leave in free agency. There also is major concern about the rehabilitation setback of defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, whose return from a broken foot creates a noticeable shadow over the unit. That's why the 46-year-old Graham — who interviewed for Jacksonville's head coaching job in January — didn't make a big deal about the continuity his presence means to the team as the Raiders go through organized team activities. 'Each season is so different,' Graham said. 'You take a step back, look at and evaluate yourself, like, 'What did I do, what can I do better, what was good?' Then you look at the defense and see what was good, what was bad. Then you've got to look within the league and see what the trends are. Because if you don't stay ahead of it, you can get in trouble.' No matter the changes, be with the coaches or the players, Graham understands the importance of communication. It's something new Raiders linebacker Elandon Roberts quickly came to appreciate. 'When he talks, I'm just kind of zoned in on it,' Roberts said. 'I've spent a lot of time with PG. We only get a certain amount of time in the building, and shoot, I'm trying to pull up on PG at his house. 'I'm telling you, PG is the type of guy he wakes up in the morning, he thinks about football. He can be eating something, he's thinking about football.' Graham and Roberts kept missing each other until now. Graham was on New England's staff from 2009-15 and Roberts played for the Patriots from 2016-19. Then Graham was Miami's defensive coordinator in 2019 and Roberts played for the Dolphins from 2020-22. 'He was running from me,' Roberts said jokingly. 'I get out here and said, 'It's about time.'' Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. And this is the time for teams, the Raiders included, to be optimistic. Many of the post-practice media questions reflected that mindset. Games will be played soon enough, and then Graham will know what kind of defense he has. There also should be more clarity on how he Carroll will work together. Graham was asked about Carroll multiple times, so it's clear that storyline isn't going away any time soon. 'You can see the energy he has and the ability to teach the position and coach the whole team,' Graham said. 'This has been really a great situation for myself, for the players, the coaches. We're watching a master teacher working at his craft and seeing it live and in person. This is really beneficial for us.' ___ AP NFL:
Winnipeg Free Press
5 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Wright State hangs on late to win 5-4, knocks No. 1 national seed Vanderbilt out of NCAA regionals
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Griffen Paige gave up one run on one hit across eight innings, Boston Smith and Luke Arnold hit back-to-back homers early, and Wright State held off Vanderbilt in the ninth to knock the No. 1 national seed out of the NCAA Tournament with a 5-4 victory in the Nashville Regional on Sunday. The Commodores (43-18) became the first No. 1 national seed to fail to reach their regional final since the tournament went to its current format in 1999. Wright State (39-20), the No. 4 regional seed out of the Horizon League, play Louisville in the final Sunday night. The Raiders would have to beat the Cardinals in that game and again Monday to reach a super regional for the first time. Paige (2-3) walked six, struck out two and allowed Brodie Johnston's second-inning home run during his 113-pitch outing. 'Biggest game I've ever pitched in, and I showed up and went out there trying to get guys out, one out at a time, one pitch at a time. You can't do anything else,' Paige said. He went out to start the ninth but issued a four-pitch walk to start the inning. That's when things got interesting. Max Whitesell walked the bases loaded with one out to bring on Warren Hartzell, who had allowed three homers as Vanderbilt rallied late to beat the Raiders 4-3 in Friday's regional opener. Hartzell got a pop-out for the second out before Mike Mancini singled up the middle to cut the lead to 5-3. Rustan Rigdon then sent a ball deep to right center that bounced over the fence for a ground-rule double. Had the ball not left the field, Mancini likely would have scored the tying run on the play. But he was required to go back to third, and RJ Austin then flew out to right to end the game. Austin Nye (2-1) faced only seven batters, with Smith and Arnold taking him deep with two outs in the first for a 4-0 lead. Vanderbilt was the fourth national seed to be eliminated and became the first No. 1 to get bounced out in regionals since UCLA in 2015. ___ AP sports:
Winnipeg Free Press
30-05-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Geno Smith and Pete Carroll reunion in Vegas has the Raiders hoping for repeat success
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — The Raiders were stretching before practice Thursday when coach Pete Carroll wandered over to quarterback Geno Smith. As the two chatted for about a minute as Smith continued to go through his stretches, it was a clear reminder of the strong relationship the two built in Seattle — and what that could mean now that they are reunited in Las Vegas. 'I think Coach Carroll is extremely relatable,' Smith said. 'I think he understands that guys have got to be themselves in order to be their best selves. He's a fun person to be around. You see just how positive he always is, he's always got a bright smile, he's always laughing, joking around. It's not him above the team or anyone above the team. It's everyone together, collectively.' The Raiders hope the success the two had together with the Seahawks translates to their new home. Carroll took Seattle to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances — winning once with Russell Wilson at quarterback. Later, Carroll resurrected Smith's career by signing him in 2019 as the backup. Smith, a second-round pick in 2019 by the Jets, had lost his starting job with New York and spent one season each as a backup with the New York Giants and Los Angeles Chargers. Smith took over as Seattle's starter in 2022 and led the league by completing 69.8% of his passes while throwing for 4,282 yards and 30 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. He was selected as the NFL's AP Comeback Player of the Year. The Seahawks posted winning records all three years with Smith as the starter, but his career there reached a crossroads after last season. The two parties failed to reach a contract agreement, leading to the March 7 trade in which the Raiders gave up a third-round draft pick. That means Smith is starting over again. 'There's not a lot of guys that would have shown that resiliency,' offensive coordinator Chip Kelly said. 'There's not a lot of guys that would have persevered through all of that. … He's so relatable to everybody in this program because he's kind of lived that life. 'The fact that he has done it and come out and to be the way he is now is really a testament to him.' Smith said his up-and-down NFL career has helped him 'cherish it a little bit more.' The Raiders are putting their hopes and money — they signed Smith to a two-year, $75 million extension that takes it through the 2027 season — that he can help make the franchise at least competitive again. Three AFC West teams made the playoffs last season. The Raiders, who went 4-13, were the only ones taking early vacations, meaning hopes of ending a playoff victory drought that dates to the 2003 season would continue. Smith also has the burden of trying to win in a division with fellow quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes, Justin Herbert and Bo Nix. But Smith also takes over an offense that includes tight end Brock Bowers, wide receiver Jakobi Meyers and running back Ashton Jeanty. Bowers comes off a rookie season in which he was named an AP All-Pro after catching 112 passes for 1,194 yards. Meyers, who took over as the top receiver after Davante Adams was traded to the Jets, broke the 1,000-yard barrier for the first time. Jeanty was drafted sixth overall this year out of Boise State after finishing second in the Heisman Trophy balloting. 'Winning is something that we want to do right now,' Smith said. 'Just seeing the direction everything's going and how hard these guys are working and just how bad everyone wants to win, I'm fortunate to be a part of this thing. I just want to continue to build it, to continue for this thing to grow. The sky's the limit for this team, this organization. I can't wait to see how it all comes together.' At 34, Smith provides a veteran presence at sports' ultimate leadership position, and Kelly said he even has impacted how the coaches go about their business. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 'He's just been emblematic of what a leader should be, by his habits and by the way he brings himself every day,' Carroll said. 'He's the first guy out here, he's the last guy to leave.' Meyers noted that time commitment as well. 'By having Geno, it kind of brings a sense of stability,' Meyers said. 'He knows what he's doing. He shows up the same every day, his personality stays the same every day. I haven't seen him have a bad day yet. So I can't have bad days if the leader has no bad days.' ___ AP NFL:
