RAPIDS COME FROM BEHIND TO DEFEAT MIRAMICHI
MIRAMICHI – After trailing by two goals until almost mid-way into the second period, the Grand Falls Rapids came from behind to earn a 4-2 victory Sunday afternoon against the Miramichi Timberwolves.
Greg Leland’s squad finishes off the weekend with a pickup of 3 points out of 4 while remaining 1-point back of the Chaleur Lightning for top spot in the Eastlink North division standings.
Playing in a tough environment, the Rapids showed great character by erasing a deficit that seemed at times unsurmountable. However, the team came out strong in the second period, cutting the deficit to one goal, then storming back with three unanswered goals in the final frame to secure win no. 16 on the season.
Eliott Robert gave the Timberwolves a 1-0 lead in the opening period, a goal scored at 2:02 with a shot that went through the pads of netminder Adam Lecours.
Jacob Kaine, on a breakaway, added Miramichi’s second goal with only 48 seconds played in the middle frame, an unassisted shorthanded tally.
The Rapids got on the scoreboard at 7:21 of the second period on a goal from defenseman Jack Brown who left his post at the blue line, sending a shot past Timberwolves’ goalkeeper Zach Ericson.
Loic Francoeur tied the score 2-2 at 1:46 of the third period with a wrister from the slot.
Nathan Plamondon-Michaud scored the game-winning goal at 7:31 after taking his own rebound in front of the net. It was Plamondon-Michaud’s team-leading 17th goal of the season.
Loic Francoeur, while his team was playing shorthanded, added his second of the contest in an empty net and 13th of the season with under two-minutes remaining in the final period.
Both teams were scoreless on the power play. Miramichi had a slight edge in shots on goal, 33 to 31.
Rapids’ netminder Adam Lecours, who made some key saves late in the game, earned his 12th victory of the season between the pipes.
The Rapids will finish off their 2025 calendar by playing Friday night in Campbellton before hosting the Chaleur Lightning on Saturday on home ice, a game that could decide the team that will capture first spot before the holiday break.
EXTRA NOTES …
*Loic Francoeur (2g) and Coen Miller (2a) both picked up 2 points for the Rapids on Sunday.
*The Rapids were penalized for a total of 20 minutes in comparison to 10 minutes for Miramichi.
*Three stars of the game: 1- Loic Francoeur (GFR); 2- Jacob Kaine (MIR); 3- Nathan Plamondon-Michaud (GFR)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
| 1st | |||
| 2:02 | MIR | Eliott Robert (14) ASST: Cameron LeBlanc (5) | |
| 2nd | |||
| 0:48 | MIR | Jacob Kaine (10) ASST: None (SH) | |
| 7:21 | GFR | Jack Brown (2) ASST: Dereck Asselin (8) | |
| 3rd | |||
| 1:46 | GFR | Loic Francoeur (12) ASST: Coen Miller (20), Patrick Baxter (9) | |
| 7:31 | GFR | Nathan Plamondon-Michaud (17) ASST: Coen Miller (21) | |
| 17:52 | GFR | Loic Francoeur (13) ASST: None (EN, SH) |