CHALEUR WINS FIRST GAME OF QUARTER FINAL SERIES
GRAND FALLS – Jack Hayne’s second power play goal of the game, scored with less than five minutes remaining in regulation time, gave the Chaleur Lightning a 4-3 victory Friday night against the Rapids.
Chaleur takes a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven quarter final series of the MetalFab MHL playoffs with the second matchup scheduled for Sunday afternoon in Bathurst.
Hayne’s one-timer found the back of the net at 15:57 of the third period, breaking a 3-3 tie. It was actually the first time the Lightning had led in the contest, falling from behind three times before tying the game at the 13-minute mark of the final frame.
Special teams played a large role towards the outcome of the game as the Lightning scored three of their four goals with the man advantage, including the game winning tally. The Rapids also took advantage of the power play to get on the scoreboard, scoring on two occasions.
It was a tight checking contest with a physical element added as expected. It was also a fast-paced game from start to finish.
Both teams scored on the power play in the first period. Coen Miller gave the Rapids an early lead (at 2:05) with a one-timer that went by Lightning netminder Jack Flanagan on the short side. Then at 4:46, on their first man advantage of the game, Chaleur tied the score on a wrist shot from the point by Sam Rocca.
Grand Falls regained the lead at 5:59 of the second period when Jonah Leard received a pass in front of the net, scoring his first of the game on the power play.
Then when it looked as though the Rapids would kill off a 4-minute penalty late in the period, the Lightning struck with only 1 second remaining on their power play. Jack Hayne was credited with the goal at 19:07, his first of the contest.
The Rapids went ahead 3-2 at 9:43 of the third period when Jonah Leard pounced on a loose puck before sending a slap shot past Jack Flanagan.
However, Thomas Hendrickson tied the game once more for Chaleur at 13:01 when the Rapids were unable to get out of their own zone.
The Rapids came close to regaining the lead later on when Coen Miller went on a breakaway, but Flanagan made the save with the left pad.
Chaleur had a 29 to 25 advantage in the shots on goal department. Adam Lecours was also solid between the pipes for Grand Falls, making some key saves.
It was the first defeat for the Rapids in 11 games. They will now try to regroup and head to Bathurst on Sunday afternoon with the intention of knotting the series at one game apiece. Puck drop is at 4pm at the KC Irving Regional Centre.
ADITIONNAL NOTES
*Jonah Leard (2 goals) and Coen Miller (1 goal and 1 assist) were the leading scorers for the Rapids.
Jack Hayne led the way offensively for Chaleur with 2 goals and 1 assist.
*Game attendance: 963 spectators
*Three stars of the game: 1- Jack Hayne (CHA); 2- Jonah Leard (GFR); 3- Coen Miller (GFR)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
| 1st | |||
| 2:05 | GFR | Coen Miller (1) ASST: Anton Topilnyckyj (1), Loic Francoeur (1) (PP) | |
| 4:46 | CHA | Sam Rocca (1) ASST: David Lebel (1), Brett Yuzik (1) (PP) | |
| 2nd | |||
| 5:59 | GFR | Jonah Leard (1) ASST: Coen Miller (1), Bailey Shortall (1) | |
| 19:07 | CHA | Jack Hayne (1) ASST: Zachary Rushton (1), Carter Bromley (1) (PP) | |
| 3rd | |||
| 9:43 | GFR | Jonah Leard (2) ASST: None (PP) | |
| 13:01 | CHA | Thomas Hendrickson (1) ASST: Jack Hayne (1), Cohen McCallum (1) | |
| 15:57 | CHA | Jack Hayne (2) ASST: Carter Bromley (2), Cohen McCallum (2) (PP) |