PICTOU COUNTY – Jack Campbell scored two goals while ex-Rapids’ goalkeeper Gio DiMattia made 33 saves, guiding the Pictou County Weeks Crushers to a 3-1 victory Tuesday night against Grand Falls.
It was a game that was supposed to be played last Sunday night but was postponed on two occasions. Coming off a 3-2 overtime victory in Truro on Saturday, the Rapids had hoped to carry their momentum in Pictou County on Sunday, but the weather did not cooperate.
It was still another great effort for the Rapids who were once again playing without their captain and top goal scorer, Jérémy Boulanger. Greg Leland’s squad played a strong game on defense, avoiding costly turnovers while getting some great saves from netminder Will Hodgson who blocked 37 shots in total.
After a scoreless first period, the Weeks Crushers scored twice in the middle frame to take a 2-0 lead.
Jack Campbell scored his first goal of the night at 1:52 of the period on a two-on-one break. Then he added his second goal and his 10th of the season at 18:13 with a backhand shot in front of the Rapids’ net.
Shots on goal through two periods of play were 30 to 23 in favour of Pictou County.
The Rapids delivered once again a very strong performance in the third period. They got on the board while playing with the man advantage at the 4-minute mark of the frame on Raphael Denis’ wrist shot from the point. Denis, who was recently named player of the week in the league, scored his 4th goal of the season. Nicholas Brennan and Ethan Johnson were both credited with an assist.
The Weeks Crushers were able to hang on to their lead and added an empty net goal with only 20 seconds remaining in the contest, courtesy of Nick Mahar, his 22nd of the season.
The final tally in shots on goal was 39 to 34 in favour of Pictou County who thus put an end to a two-game losing skid.
The Rapids will finally return home to play on Friday night in front of their fans. They will host the Fredericton Red Wings in a 7pm start at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre.
GAME NOTES:
*The Rapids went 1 for 3 on the power play while the Weeks Crushers were scoreless in only 1 PP opportunity.
*Game attendance: 525
*Three stars of the game: 1- Jack Campbell (PCC); 2- Will Hodgson (GFR); 3- Gio DiMattia (PCC)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
1st
No Scoring
2nd
1:52 PCC Jack Campbell (9) ASST: Ben Mercer (29), Kingsley Austin (22)
18:13 PCC Jack Campbell (10) ASST: Ben Mercer (30), Carter Murchison (28)
3rd
4:18 GFR Raphael Denis (4) ASST: Nicholas Brennan (11), Ethan Johnson (23) (PP)
19:40 PCC Nick Mahar (22) ASST: Riley Seymour (14), Logan O’Neil (16) (EN)