The North Dundas Rockets travelled to the Robert Guertin Arena in Gatineau for the 2019 NCJHL Showcase on Sat., Sept. 21, to take on the Morrisburg Lions. The Rockets’ forwards, Cole Hodges (8) and Dylan Robinson (28) await a shot from the point as the Lions’ defenseman, Kayne McCadden and goalie, Miguel Daoust defend against the Rockets’ forwards. The Rockets went on to take the game 6-2. Moore photo
GATINEAU—The North Dundas Rockets opened their regular season at the NCJHL Showcase in Gatineau on Saturday afternoon as they took on the Morrisburg Lions.
Rockets 6 Lions 2
The North Dundas Rockets travelled to the Robert Guertin Arena in Gatineau for the 2019 NCJHL Showcase on Sat., Sept. 21 to take on the Morrisburg Lions. The Rockets went 3-0 in the preseason and looked to keep the winning streak intact heading into the regular season.
The Lions lost both of their preseason games but have a fast and exciting team this season.
The Rockets opened the scoring just 2:25 into the first period as Jack Van Kessel ripped one home from Xavier Langevin and Cam Sherrer taking a 1-0 lead.
The Lions tied the game when Justice Brownlee pounded one home from Brennan Markell at 5:30 on the power play. The Rockets retook the lead when Van Kessel scored his second of the game from Sherrer at 15:58. The Rockets took a 2-1 lead into the first intermission.
The Lions tied the game again when Brownlee scored his second of the game from Cal Bilmer just 1:52 into the second period. The Rockets retook the lead for the third time, as Justin Lefebvre unloaded one from the top of the left circle from Joel Hunt at 8:27. The Rockets took a 3-2 lead into the second intermission.
The Rockets took a two-goal lead when Jarrett Williams rattled one home from Dylan Robinson and Brett Lannin at 5:31. The Rockets made it 5-2 when Hunt sniped one from Lefebvre at 14:11 on the power play.
The Lions pulled their goalie in favour of an extra attacker with just over one minute remaining but it was the Rockets’ Williams who caused a turnover and went down and deposited one into the yawning cage unassisted, with just eight seconds remaining in the game.
The Rockets took the game 6-2 picking up their first win of the season. Picking up the win in the Rockets’ goal was Felix Dubeau and suffering the loss in the Lions’ goal was Miguel Daoust.
The North Dundas Rockets’ veteran sniper, Justin Lefebvre (11) is one of the team’s leaders that will be leaned on for the 2019-20 season. Lefebvre led the Rockets in scoring last season and scored the game-winning goal in the Rockets’ 6-2 victory over the Morrisburg Lions at the NCJHL Showcase. Moore photo
Up next
The North Dundas Rockets have next weekend off but welcome the Gatineau Hull-Volant for their home opener on Sat., Oct. 4, at the Chesterville Arena at 7:30 p.m.
The Morrisburg Lions welcome the Vankleek Hill Cougars to the Morrisburg Arena on Sat., Sept. 28 at 7:15 p.m. and the South Grenville Rangers on Sun., Sept. 29 at 2:15 p.m.
