River Rats lambaste Clippers prior to Christmas break

By Wade Wile

The Avon River Rats Jr. C began their Christmas break only after lambasting the Chester Clippers in Thursday, Dec. 18, ice action.

The Rats were coming off a tough loss in their previous game to the Clare Lions. They were looking for redemption and to put another victory in the win column before the New Year.

So the River Rats came out of the gate fast with a goal at the 24-second mark of the first period from team leading goal scorer Brandyn Ross, assisted by Nick O’Connor and Jeremy Burgess.

The Rats continued to find the back of the net in the second period by scoring five goals; the scorers were Curtis Stacey, John Daniels, Lee Spears, Greg Burgess and Ross. The Clippers had three goal of their own in the second, but after two periods of play the River Rats lead 6 to 3.

In the third period the penalty box doors got used often as the Clippers acquired 26 minutes in penalties, and the Rats 12 minutes.

The River Rats got five goals in the third, the scorers being Matt Nason, Stacey with his second of the night, Donnie Rogers, and Ross with two more goals to make it four goals on the evening and a team leading 21 goals on the season. The Clippers responded with one of their own, but lost the game 11-4.

The River Rats out shot the Clippers 52 to 36 as Blaine Boutlier was the winning goaltender with his eighth win of the year.

The Avon River Rats go into the Christmas break with a record of 13 wins and six losses, with 26 points for third place in the Central Division, two points behind second place Halifax Thunder.

The next home game for the River Rats is Jan. 3rd at 8:15 p.m. against the Barrington Ice Dogs. On that particular evening, the River Rats are making it their 1st Annual George Cole Memorial night to celebrate his life and contributions to the hockey community.

George Cole was a member of the board of directors for the Avon River Rats; he unexpectedly passed away last year from cancer. On this night of remembrance, the River Rats will be donating all proceeds made to the Canadian Cancer Society.

The public is encouraged to come cheer on the River Rats to victory for their drive to the playoffs and first win in 2009, and to remember George Cole for his life and times.