MARINERS DEFEAT RAPIDS 5-3

YARMOUTH – Grayson Pardy’s power play goal scored at 16:18 of the third period sent the Yarmouth Mariners to a 5-3 victory Friday night against the visiting Grand Falls Rapids.
The goal broke a 3-3 tie and Pardy added his second tally of the night in an empty net with 14 seconds left on the clock to seal the victory.

The Mariners took a 2-0 lead through forty minutes of play on goals from Cole MacLeod and Cole Bent. The third period was wide open with five goals being scored, including three by the Rapids who tied the score at 3:45 on Anton Topilnyckyj’s 2nd goal of the season.

The Rapids scored at 14 seconds of play of the third period, immediately following a faceoff win in Yarmouth territory. Patrick Baxter took control of the puck in front of the net and sent a backhander past netminder Keegan Warren.
Cole MacLeod scored his second of the game on a power play at 1:55 to give the Mariners a two-goal lead once again. But Grand Falls replied with two quick goals to tie the game 3-3.
Loic Francoeur scored on a backhand shot at 3:45, which was followed by Anton Topilnyckyj’s tying goal at 6:24, scored on a wrist shot from the slot.
Grayson Pardy’s go-ahead goal was scored at 16:18 of the final frame while Yarmouth was playing with the man advantage.

The Mariners held a 40-30 advantage in the shots on goal department.
Adam Lecours was the Rapids netminder, making his 15th start of the season between the pipes.

The Rapids record now falls to 11-6-2 for 24 points. They are currently tied for top spot in the Eastlink division with the Chaleur Lightning who won on Friday night in Campbellton.
Greg Leland’s squad will complete its Nova Scotia trip on Saturday evening against the Valley Wildcats, which will be a third game in three nights.

EXTRA NOTES …

*Grayson Pardy had a strong game offensively for Yarmouth with a 2g 2a performance. Cole MacLeod (2g 1a) also contributed to the scoring.
For the Rapids, Jonah Leard was the leading scorer with 2 assists.

*The three stars of the game: 1- Grayson Pardy (YAR); 2- Cole MacLeod (YAR); 3- Cole Bent (YAR)

Patrick Thibault

Scoring
1st
2:06 YAR Cole MacLeod (6) ASST: None

2nd
13:27 YAR Cole Bent (1) ASST: Grayson Pardy (4), Justin Garneau (7)

3rd
0:14 GFR Patrick Baxter (6) ASST: Brody Pare (5), Brayden Campbell (10)

1:55 YAR Cole MacLeod (7) ASST: Grayson Pardy (5), Justin Garneau (8) (PP)

3:45 GFR Loic Francoeur (8) ASST: Jonah Leard (15), Zackarie Michaud (15)

6:24 GFR Anton Topilnyckyj (2) ASST: Declan Kennedy (1), Jonah Leard (16)

16:18 YAR Grayson Pardy (8) ASST: Cole MacLeod (4), Jared Pitman (11) (PP)

19:46 YAR Grayson Pardy (9) ASST: Ryan Loveless (6), Jared Pitman (12) (PP, EN)