Raiders Take Game 1 Over Panthers in Playoff Opener

NAPANEE, ON – The Panthers opened their playoff campaign against the Napanee Raiders on the road Friday night, but a strong first period from the home team proved to be the difference as Napanee skated away with a 6-1 victory in Game 1 of the series.

The Raiders wasted little time setting the tone. Just 3:40 into the opening frame, Mason Goodfellow opened the scoring with his first of the postseason, finishing off a setup from Jackson Barnes and Ben Kerr. Napanee doubled the lead at 9:55 when Spencer Cranley found the back of the net, assisted by Cole McEwen and Tanner Hawkins.

The Raiders continued to press late in the period, capitalizing again at 18:03 as Ryan McGee extended the lead to 3-0 with helpers from Zered Haller and Eric Taher.

The Panthers looked to respond in the second and found a spark early. At 1:51, Ryerson Minifie got Port Hope on the board with his first playoff goal, finishing a play set up by Zach Naherne to cut the deficit to two.

Despite the momentum shift, Napanee answered back midway through the period. Goodfellow struck again at 15:08 for his second of the game, restoring the three-goal cushion. Ben Kerr added another at 18:29, with Haller picking up his second assist of the night, giving the Raiders a 5-1 lead heading into the third.

Napanee rounded out the scoring early in the final frame, as Matthew Airhart capitalized at 1:42 off a feed from Luke Jarmin and Jobey Pearson.

The game featured its share of physical play and special teams opportunities. The Panthers were assessed multiple penalties throughout the night, while both teams exchanged roughing minors late in the first and matching double minors and misconducts in the final minute of regulation, highlighting the intensity that comes with playoff hockey.

Port Hope will look to regroup and tighten up defensively as the series continues back home Saturday night. Puck drop is set for 7:30 PM.

Full playoff schedule can be found online.