North Dundas Rockets Claim 2025 EOSHL Championship

Sunday Night Showdown: Rockets Hold Off Rideaus for Championship Win

On Sunday night, there was no shortage of big plays, massive hits, and outstanding goals. 1,350 fans filled the Smiths Falls Memorial Centre as the Smiths Falls Rideaus and North Dundas Rockets battled it out in Game 4 of the league championship series. The pregame ceremony set the stage as the lights were dimmed, and lasers and colored lights illuminated the arena. The crowd roared as the Rideaus' starting lineup was introduced, with each player receiving a loud ovation. Fans from both teams brought horns, cowbells, and shakers, adding to the electric atmosphere.

First Period: Fast-Paced Start

The action began immediately, with Smiths Falls striking first just 43 seconds into the game. Spenser Cobbold opened the scoring for the Rideaus, giving them a 1-0 lead. However, North Dundas responded quickly. At 14:02, Derek Froats tied the game at 1-1, assisted by Marco Azzano  and Michael McNamee. Just over a minute later, McNamee put the Rockets ahead, scoring at 6:26 to make it 2-1, with help from Froats and Azzano.

Smiths Falls leveled the score again at 4:39 when Andrew Sprague scored a power-play goal, assisted by Cobbold and David Bennett, bringing it to 2-2. The period ended in a thrilling 2-2 tie, with both teams trading momentum.

Second Period: Rockets Begin to Pull Away

North Dundas came out strong in the second period, reclaiming the lead at 14:44. Fabian Walsh scored his first of the night, assisted by McNamee and Cody Caron, to make it 3-2. Three minutes later, the Rockets capitalized on another power-play opportunity. Chris Kushneriuk found the back of the net on a one timer blast from the top of the circle at 11:08, with assists from Walsh and McNamee, pushing the lead to 4-2.

In a dominant display, Walsh scored again at 2:34, extending the lead to 5-2. McNamee and Shawn Moors helped set up Walsh’s second goal, leaving Smiths Falls with an uphill battle heading into the third period.

Third Period: Rideaus Fight Back, But Rockets Hold Strong

Smiths Falls came out determined in the third period, scoring twice in quick succession. Tate Leeson scored at 17:31, assisted by Brett Costello and Ben Beasley, to make it 6-3. Just 56 seconds later, Theo Todd cut the deficit to two, scoring at 14:37 with help from Reid Russett and Andrew McKenney, making it 6-4.

Todd wasn’t done yet. He scored again on the power play at 12:04, with Costello and McKenney assisting, pulling Smiths Falls to within one at 6-5. The game was wide open, with both teams pressing for the go-ahead goal.

But North Dundas responded at 5:29 with a crucial goal. Kyle Ward made it 7-5, with assists from Jack Nevins and Moors, providing the Rockets some breathing room.

Smiths Falls continued to fight hard, and with one minute left in the game, David Bennett scored an extra-attacker power-play goal at 1:01, assisted by Eric Witzel and Costello, bringing it to 7-6. However, time ran out for the Rideaus, and the Rockets held on for the win.

Conclusion: A Thrilling Contest

This game had it all—fast-paced action, spectacular individual performances, and a back-and-forth battle that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Michael McNamee stood out for North Dundas, contributing multiple assists and key goals, while Fabian Walsh proved to be a force on the ice, scoring twice.

For the Rideaus, Theo Todd’s two goals and a strong performance from Andrew Sprague helped keep Smiths Falls in the hunt, but the Rockets ultimately proved too much.

Matt Jenkins came up big in the final moments, making crucial saves to secure the win. Jenkins stopped 18 of 24 shots, while Smiths Falls' Dallas Slack stopped 25 of 32 in the loss.

This marks the Rockets' third EOSHL Championship title in four years, having previously won in 2022 and 2023, both against the Gananoque Islanders.