Ottawa, ON – Thursday night featured a pair of key matchups in the EOJHL as the Ottawa West Golden Knights continued their unbeaten run with a convincing win over Renfrew, while the Casselman Vikings picked up a dominant road shutout in Smiths Falls.
Ottawa West 4, Renfrew 1
The Ottawa West Golden Knights continued their red-hot start to the season with a 4-1 victory over the Renfrew Timberwolves, improving to a perfect 7-0-0-0 on the year and moving into a tie with Ottawa for top spot in the league standings.
Renfrew opened the scoring early when Cole McLelland buried his second of the season just over three minutes into the first period. Ottawa West quickly responded, as William McCulligh tied the game with his eighth of the year, assisted by Thomas Dickey and Justin Murdoch.
Late in the second, Jason Ward gave Ottawa West their first lead of the night, and the Golden Knights never looked back. Thomas Dickey added some insurance midway through the third before Justin Murdoch sealed the win with an empty-netter in the final minute.
Goaltender Dustin Riff was outstanding for Ottawa West, stopping 20 of 21 shots to earn the win. Dylan Elliott made 36 saves for Renfrew in a strong effort despite the loss.
Renfrew falls to 3-5-0-0 on the season.
Casselman 4, Smiths Falls 0
In Smiths Falls, the Casselman Vikings put together a complete road performance, shutting out the Jr. Bears 4-0 to improve to 5-2-0-0 on the season.
Cédric Ouimet opened the scoring for Casselman midway through the first, and the Vikings never let up from there. Casey Hayward doubled the lead early in the second before Téo Webb extended it to 3-0 just over a minute later. Skyler Beks capped off the scoring in the third period with his second of the campaign.
Goaltender Myles Boudreau turned aside all 14 shots he faced to record the shutout, while Cole King made 32 saves in a busy night between the pipes for Smiths Falls.
Smiths Falls drops to 3-4-0-0 with the loss.
