SUMMERSIDE – Connor Keough’s power play goal, with 6 minutes remaining in the third period, broke a 2-2 tie and gave the Summerside Western Capitals a 4-2 victory Saturday night on the island.
Keough tipped in a shot from defenseman Will Irvine, sent from the point. Robbie Rutledge added an empty net goal with 32 seconds remaining, his second tally of the night.
The Rapids played a great game, even dominating their opponents on the shots on goal department. Grand Falls had more than doubled Summerside’s total of shots after two periods of play, which was at that point 21 to 10 in favour of the visitors.
Despite playing without former captain and team leading scorer, Dominic LeBlanc, Greg Leland’s squad played a well- balanced game and had many opportunities to score.
After stopping their opponents on three occasions from scoring on the power play, the fourth time was fatal to the Rapids as it came late in the final frame, which made the difference in the final score.
Brennan Murphy gave the Western Capitals the lead in the opening frame after coming out of the corner with the puck and sending a perfect shot into the top corner of the net.
Then Raphaël Denis, who had joined the rush, tied the game for the Rapids at 10:32 of the second period with a shot to the stick side of Summerside netminder Adam Rouleau.
The Western Capitals struck early in the third, scoring with only 33 seconds after the initial puck drop. Robbie Rutledge pushed the puck between the post and goaltender Adam Lecours, giving his team a 2-1 lead.
But at 3:18, Jérémy Boulanger scored on a great individual effort while Grand Falls was playing with the man advantage. After carrying the puck into Summerside territory, Boulanger was able to get through two defensemen, scoring his 7th of the season and tying the game 2-2.
Then came Connor Keough’s game winner on the power play at the 14-minute mark.
It was an 8th consecutive loss for the Rapids who remain in 6th spot in the Eastlink North division standings with 17 points.
Grand Falls will play their next game on Friday night at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre as they host the Miramichi Timberwolves and their former captain, Dominic LeBlanc.
GAME NOTES:
*Robbie Rutledge led the way offensively for Summerside with a performance of 2g 1a.
Raphaël Denis was the only Rapids’ player to pick up 2 points in the game as he finished with 1g and 1a.
*Both teams scored once on the power play: SWC 1 for 4; GFR 1 for 3
*Game attendance: 804
*Three stars of the game: 1- Robbie Rutledge (SWC); 2- Connor Keough (SWC); 3- Trentyn Crane (SWC)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
1st
3:05 SWC Brennan Murphy (10) ASST: Will Murphy (5), Robbie Rutledge (18)
2nd
10:32 GFR Raphael Denis (2) ASST: Nicholas Brennan (8), Colin Parker (5)
3rd
0:33 SWC Robbie Rutledge (22) ASST: Fedor Babenko (3), Trentyn Crane (21)
3:18 GFR Jeremy Boulanger (7) ASST: Ethan Johnson (17), Raphael Denis (9) (PP)
14:00 SWC Connor Keough (7) ASST: William Irvine (20), Trentyn Crane (22) (PP)
19:28 SWC Robbie Rutledge (23) ASST: None