Cornwall Ontario – Mathieu Dumas’ two third-period markers were the difference as the Sorel-Tracy Eperviers skated to a 4-2 victory over the River Kings on Saturday night at the Civic Complex.
Doug Andress scored twice for Cornwall, which fell to 8-12-3 on the season with the defeat.
Christian Deschene opened the scoring for the Eperviers, banging in a rebound past River Kings goaltender Loic Lacasse at 8:08 of the first period.
Cornwall responded on the powerplay with 18 seconds to play in the opening frame. Andress ripped a shot from the point that beat Sorel goaltender Francis Gourdeau top shelf.
The River Kings took the lead on another blast by Andress at 14:19 of the second. His low shot from the point deflected off a Sorel stick and beat Gourdeau.
The Eperviers would reply with a powerplay goal of their own, however. Louis Mandeville’s one-timer from the blueline got past Lacasse with 1:50 to go in the second.
Sorel took advantage of a powerplay at 2:55 of the third period when Dumas pounced on a loose puck at the side of the crease to beat Lacasse. Dumas then iced it with his second of the night, an unassisted empty netter, with 32 seconds to play.
Eperviers leading scorer Grégory Dupré set up two goals for Sorel.
River Kings enforcer Chris Cloutier had a spirited bout with Sorel’s Jon “Nasty” Mirasty in the second period, much to the delight of the 1,977 in attendance. It carried into the penalty box as well; both skaters were assessed 10 minute misconducts moments later and were sent to their dressing rooms.
Brett Angel then challenged Mirasty mid-way through the third period.
The announced stars were Dumas (first), Andress (second) and Dupré.
SUNDAY MATINEE: On Sunday afternoon, Cornwall hosts the first-place Trois-Rivières Vikings at 2 p.m. After the game, fans are invited to come out on the ice and skate with the River Kings.
The River Kings have added another big, tough defenceman, and it’s a name local hockey fans are quite familiar with.
Simon Desormeaux, the former Cornwall Comets and Akwesasne Warriors defenceman, has come to terms with the River Kings.
The 38-year-old last played in 2011-12 for the Warriors in the Federal Hockey League. In 18 games, he had 9 assists and 75 penalty minutes.
Desormeaux has several years of experience in the LNAH as well. He last suited up for the Thetford-Mines Isothermic in 2008-09. He has also played for the Verdun Dragons and St. Jean Chiefs.
The River Kings will welcome back a familiar face to their lineup this weekend.
Eric Meloche has come to terms with Cornwall and is expected to play on Saturday night when the Sorel-Tracy Eperviers pay a visit to the Civic Complex.
Last season with the River Kings, Meloche had 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points in 31 games. The 5-foot-10, 200 lb. power forward also chipped in 62 penalty minutes.
The 37-year-old veteran will be a welcome addition in the locker room.
“Eric has agreed to come help us out and it’s nice to have his leadership presence,” said head coach Steve Simoes. “He’s a competitor.”
It’s a new year and coach Simoes is looking for more passion on the ice in 2014. “I want to see a consistent, honest effort,” he said. “I want their passion for the game to come out in their play.”
On Saturday evening, Sorel is expected to have Jon “Nasty” Mirasty in their lineup. The heavyweight has 47 penalty minutes in 5 games this season, his first in the LNAH since 2006-07 when he compiled 304 penalty minutes in 41 games with Sorel.
The last time these two teams faced off on Nov. 8 in Sorel, there were plenty of fireworks, with Mirasty in the thick of things all night. “In Sorel, Jon and Frank (Francis Lessard) had a great bout,” said Simoes. Then with 22 seconds to play in the game, which Cornwall won 5-3, Mirasty and Kings defenceman Brett Angel were involved in a controversial melee. “The way that game ended with Jon and Angel, it should be interesting on Saturday.”
SKATE WITH KINGS
On Sunday afternoon at the Ed Lumley Arena, Cornwall hosts the first-place Trois-Rivières Vikings at 2 p.m. After the contest, River Kings fans of all ages are invited to come out on the ice and skate with their favourite players.
