CORNWALL RIVER KINGS EARN WEEKEND SPLIT

CORNWALL ONTARIO – Loic Lacasse stole the show on Sunday afternoon at the Civic Complex, backstopping the Cornwall River Kings to a 2-1 shootout victory over Sorel-Tracy.

Lacasse made 47 saves in regulation and overtime, and then stopped all three shooters he faced in the shootout. He was named the game’s first star, much to the delight of the 1,163 fans in attendance.

Cornwall, playing in only its second home game of the young season, improved to 2-3-1 on the year.

Nicolas Corbeil scored the only goal of the shootout, beating Francis Gourdeau through the five-hole.

In the first period, Corbeil, who was left alone in the high slot, opened the scoring when he turned and fired a shot that beat Gourdeau, giving the River Kings a 1-0 lead at 9:44.

But Grégory Dupré sprung loose and beat Lacasse for a shorthanded marker with 54 seconds to play in the first to even the score at 1-1. It was Dupré’s 8th goal of the LNAH season.

The game featured the debut of newly signed River Kings forward Stephane Chaput. The line of Alex Bourret, Pierre-Luc Faubert and Chaput, all former members of the QMJHL’s Lewiston MAINEiacs, clicked from the opening puck drop, but they couldn’t find their way onto the scoresheet.

Lacasse stood on his head all afternoon long, particularly late in the second period when the River Kings killed off a lengthy two-man advantage. Lacasse made 23 stops in the middle frame alone. Sorel outshot Cornwall 48-33 overall.

Gourdeau (second) and Chaput (third) were the other stars.

ONE-GOAL LOSS

On Friday night at Thetford-Mines, the River Kings spotted the Isothermic a 4-0 lead after 40 minutes en route to a 4-3 road loss. Despite coming up short, Cornwall battled back in the third with goals from Bobby Mazerolle, Doug Andress and Brett Angel. Mazerolle and Bourret each chipped in two assists for the River Kings.

Next Friday, Cornwall visits Sorel-Tracy. A bus trip is being organized by the team. The coach bus will be leaving Shoeless Joe’s at 4:45 p.m. The cost is $45, which also includes your game ticket.

Then on Sunday, the River Kings host Thetford-Mines at the Ed Lumley Arena. The puck drops at 3 p.m.