MIRAMICHI – Drew MacIntyre’s power play goal early in the third period broke a 3-3 tie as the Miramichi Timberwolves skated away with a 5-3 victory Saturday night on home ice against the Rapids.
The Rapids took the lead on three occasions,but Miramichi came back to tie the game until they took the lead for good in the final frame.
It was the sixth meeting of the season between both teams as the Timberwolves now hold a record of 5 wins and 1 loss against Grand Falls. It was also the Rapids’ first loss in three games.
Brayden Campbell got the visitors on the board at 7:55 of the opening period. While picking up speed and getting by a defender, Campbell sent a backhand shot past netminder Mathis Lafontaine to give the Rapids the lead.
Drew MacInityre responded only 22 seconds later with his first of the night, tying the score 1-1 through twenty minutes of play.
Raphael Denis, the leading scoring defenseman in the MHL, added his 8th tally of the season at 6:08 of the second period when he left his post at the blue line, giving the Rapids a 2-1 lead. Less than a minute later however, Miramichi scored while playing shorthanded. Justin David was the one who took control of a rebound in front of Adam Lecours’ crease, tying the game 2-2.
Ty Hunter gave back the lead to Grand Falls at 11:36 with his 3rd of the season following a turnover in the Timbewrwolves’ zone. Miramichi came back once again to tie the score 3-3 at 17:31 on Jacob Lafontaine’s first of the game.
The Rapids dominated the third period in shots on goal (18 to 7) and in puck possession while getting some great scoring opportunities.
Mathis Lafontaine was solid between the pipes for Miramichi, and he was helped by DrewMacIntyre’s timely power play goal early in the period which made the difference in the score. Jacob Lafontaine added his second of the game in an empty net at 18:42 for the insurance goal.
The final tally in shots on goal was 39 to 38 in favour of Miramichi. The Rapids went 0 for 4 on the power play, finishing 0 for 8 on the PP in their last two games.
Justin David led the way offensively for the Timberwolves, taking part in all five goals with a 1g 4a performance. Jacob Lafontaine (2g 2a) also contributed on the scoresheet.
For Grand Falls, Dawson Grandy and Nicholas Brennan each finished the game with 2 assists.
The Rapids will play their next three games on the road, starting next Thursday as they clash with the Pictou County Weeks Crushers in Nova Scotia.
*3 STARS OF THE GAME:
1- Justin David (MIR); 2- Jacob Lafontaine (MIR); 3- Drew MacIntyre (MIR)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
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1st |
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7:55 |
GFR |
Brayden Campbell (8) ASST: Nicholas Brennan (13), Dawson Grandy (8) |
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8:17 |
MIR |
Drew MacIntyre (4) ASST: Justin David (27), Jacob Lafontaine (14) |
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2nd |
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6:08 |
GFR |
Raphael Denis (8) ASST: Nicholas Brennan (14), Dawson Grandy (9) |
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7:05 |
MIR |
Justin David (16) ASST: Jacob Lafontaine (15) (SH) |
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11:36 |
GFR |
Ty Hunter (3) ASST: Matthew Ferdinand (6) |
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17:31 |
MIR |
Jacob Lafontaine (19) ASST: Justin David (28), Nolan Ryan (4) |
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3rd |
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1:32 |
MIR |
Drew MacIntyre (5) ASST: Eliott Robert (25), Justin David (29) (PP) |
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18:42 |
MIR |
Jacob Lafontaine (20) ASST: Justin David (30) (EN) |
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