RAPIDS COME FROM BEHIND TO DEFEAT STEAMERS IN OVERTIME

GRAND FALLS – Defenseman Isaac Allard scored with only 37 seconds remaining in overtime, sending the Grand Falls Rapids to a come from behind 4-3 victory over the West Kent Steamers on Friday night at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre.

Trailing by three goals after twenty minutes of play, the Rapids got it going in the middle frame by scoring once and added two more goals early in the third period to tie the game at 3-3.
It was the Rapids’ 22nd victory, which is the most wins in a season since the team’s arrival in Grand Falls 8 years ago. With the victory, the Rapids (50 points) are currently tied with the Edmundston Blizzard for third spot in the Eastlink North division standings.

It was a tough start however for Greg Leland’s squad as they were outplayed by their opponents during the first twenty minutes of action.
Zachary Paulhus scored with only 40 seconds following the first puck drop, giving the Steamers a quick 1-0 lead. Then Tyler Wood added the visitors second goal at 7:17, followed by Jean-Christophe Gemme’s low shot that got by Rapids’ netminder Adam Lecours at 9:34.
West Kent had a 16 to 11 advantage in shots on goal after the opening frame.

The Rapids were a more aggressive team in the second period and were able to hold the Steamers to only 9 shots on net while reducing the margin by scoring once. While his team was playing shorthanded, Patrick Baxter went on a breakaway and beat Steamers’ goalkeeper Olivier Bacon with a wrist shot, bringing the score to 3-1. It was Baxter’s 13th tally of the season and his team-leading 3rd shorthanded goal of the campaign.
Grand Falls came out strong in the third period, scoring two unanswered goals to tie the score 3-3. Oliver Plante sent a shot from just inside the blue line that found the back of the net at 11 seconds of play while Bailey Shortall tied the score at 1:23.
Adam Lecours was instrumental once again, making some big saves to keep the game tied.

The winning goal came on a two-on-one break. Isaac Allard’s shot was partially blocked by the Steamers netminder, but the puck trickled slowly past the red line to give the Rapids the victory.
Grand Falls held a slight lead in the shots on goal department, 37 to 36.

The Rapids return to action Saturday night as they visit the Chaleur Lightning. Puck drop is at 7pm at the KC Irving Regional Centre.
ADITIONNAL NOTES

*Patrick Baxter (1g 1a) was the Rapids leading scorer. Natan Grenier and Pierre-Marc Minville both picked up 2 assists for West Kent.
*Both teams were scoreless on the power play.
*Three stars of the game: 1- Isaac Allard (GFR); 2- Patrick Baxter (GFR); 3- Pierre-Marc Minville (WKS)

Patrick Thibault

Scoring
1st
0:40 WKS Zachary Paulhus (22) ASST: Natan Grenier (31), Pierre-Marc Minville (30)

7:17 WKS Tyler Wood (8) ASST: Natan Grenier (32), Pierre-Marc Minville (31)

9:34 WKS Jean-Christophe Gemme (4) ASST: Zachary Boudreau (14), Jude Campbell (16)

2nd
16:01 GFR Patrick Baxter (13) ASST: Loic Francoeur (29)

3rd
0:11 GFR Oliver Plante (9) ASST: Patrick Baxter (12), Loic Gallant (12)

1:23 GFR Bailey Shortall (9) ASST: None

1st OT
4:23 GFR Isaac Allard (8) ASST: None