Ottawa, ON – A two-game Sunday slate saw the Richmond Royals lock things down defensively in a decisive shutout win over Athens, while Smiths Falls and Renfrew delivered a tight, back-and-forth contest that needed a shootout to determine a winner. Both games carried standings implications as teams continue to jockey for position approaching the mid-season mark.
Richmond 3 Athens 0
Richmond earned a composed and defensively sound 3–0 victory on home ice, backstopped by a brilliant shutout performance from Sam Nolan.
The Royals set the tone early when Ethan Fleming scored just 2:15 into the game, tapping home his 10th of the season off a setup from Ryan Wirvin and Kevin Zhu. Richmond maintained steady pressure throughout the first, generating multiple scoring chances and forcing Athens goaltender Marshall Greig into work early.
In the second period, the Royals took full control. At 6:08, Dylan Cutts extended the lead with a well-placed shot, finishing a passing play with Tyson MacCoubrey and Nevyn Trenholm. Cutts struck again late in the frame, burying his second of the night after another strong feed from MacCoubrey to put Richmond ahead 3–0 heading into the final period.
Athens pushed hard in the third, firing 14 shots on goal, but Nolan turned away everything he faced—including a penalty shot attempt in the second period—to secure the shutout. Greig was strong at the other end with 39 saves, keeping the game within reach despite limited offensive support.
Richmond improves to 11-11-0-1, while Athens falls to 7-15-4-0.
Smiths Falls 4 Renfrew 3 (SO)
Smiths Falls battled back multiple times and ultimately outlasted Renfrew 4–3 in a shootout, picking up a hard-earned road win in a fast-paced and physical matchup.
Renfrew opened the scoring midway through the first period when William Herrick struck on the power play after a setup from Daxton Markwick and Parker Evans. Smiths Falls responded quickly—Nico Ilias buried a power-play goal of his own to tie the game. The Jr. Bears then grabbed their first lead at 18:30 when Caleb Bourne snapped home his 13th of the season.
After a scoreless second period, Renfrew surged back in the third. Evans tied the game on the power play at 7:19, and Liam Haggerty pushed the Timberwolves ahead 3–2 with under seven minutes remaining. But Smiths Falls wasn’t done—Bourne struck again late, his second of the night, to force overtime.
Following a scoreless extra frame, the shootout belonged to the Jr. Bears. Andrew Hopley and Nico Ilias both converted, while goaltender Jamie Bales shut the door on both Renfrew attempts to secure the win.
Smiths Falls improves to 10-14-0-1, while Renfrew moves to 11-12-1-1.
