Late Push Not Enough as Panthers Fall to Raiders

Napanee, ON – The Port Hope Panthers came up just short on Saturday night, dropping a close 3–2 decision to the Napanee Raiders in a tightly contested game at the Best and Bash Arena.

Port Hope struck first in the opening period, with Luca Damiani-Reis burying his second of the season at 8:03. The goal was set up by Sutton Scheck and Connor Ivey, giving the Panthers early momentum. Napanee responded later in the frame when Ryan McGee tied things up at 13:36, and the teams went into the first intermission knotted at 1–1.

The Raiders edged ahead in the second period with a goal from Ben Kerr at 10:26, taking a 2–1 lead into the third. Despite a power-play opportunity earlier in the frame following a boarding call to Napanee’s Mason Goodfellow, the Panthers couldn’t capitalize.

In the third, Goodfellow extended the Raiders’ lead with an unassisted tally at 4:27, making it 3–1. The Panthers stayed composed and kept pressing, finally breaking through late in the period. On the power play at 16:07, Sutton Scheck fired home his fourth of the season off a feed from Sidney Wakely to pull Port Hope within one.

With time winding down, the Panthers pushed for the equalizer but couldn’t find the back of the net before the final buzzer.

Scheck led the way offensively with a goal and an assist, while Wakely added his fifth helper of the season. Goaltending and special teams both played a role in the close battle, with Port Hope converting once on the power play.

The Panthers now look to regroup and carry their strong third-period effort into their next outing as they continue to build consistency in the early part of the season.

Next Game: Panthers return to action at home on Saturday night when they welcome the Picton Pirates.