CORNWALL, Ontario – The Nationals stretched their winning streak to three games with a 5-3 win over the Watertown Wolves on Sunday evening at the Civic Complex.
With the victory in front of an announced gathering of 678, head coach Joel Trottier’s squad improved to 3-0-1 on the season.
Brandon Vuic gave the Nationals a 1-0 lead 5:55 into the game with a powerplay marker. Vuic, parked in front of the net, was the beneficiary of a slick pass from captain Ahmed Mahfouz.
The speedy Maxime Guyon gave Cornwall a 2-0 lead at 11:34 of the first. Guyon, who was sprung loose on a breakaway by Mahfouz, was originally stopped by Watertown’s Bobby Bowden but then buried his own rebound with a great second effort.
Mahfouz showed his incredible vision 69 seconds into the second when he found a wide open Eric Witzel, who scored his first of the season to give the Nationals a 3-0 lead. Twenty-eight seconds later, however, Matt Caranci beat Sebastien Dube-Rochon, who was making his second start in as many nights for Cornwall.
At 8:24 of the second, Witzel’s one-timer tricked past Bowden for his second of the contest as Cornwall took a 4-1 lead.
Then, Cameron Dimmitt, on a breakaway, beat Dube-Rochon with a perfectly placed wrist shot with 5:45 to play in the second. Caranci, with his second of the evening, brought the Wolves to within a goal with a powerplay goal with only 4.5 seconds left in the middle frame.
Clinging to a one-goal lead, the Nationals put their work boots on in the third period. Cornwall’s Tom Tsicos outmuscled a Watertown defenceman to bury Brandon Gilmour’s rebound 3:54 into the third.
Cornwall outshot Watertown 37-29. Mahfouz (first), Witzel (second) and Vuic were the announced stars.
The Nationals are back in action next week with three FHL contests. Cornwall travels to Port Huron for games on Friday (7:30 p.m.) and Saturday (7 p.m.).
The Nationals hosts the North Shore Knights on Sunday, Nov. 26 at 7 p.m.
