RAPIDS COME UP SHORT AGAINST THE LIGHTNING
GRAND FALLS – The Grand Falls GreenFoot Rapids came back from a two-goal deficit in the third period, but still fell short in a 5-4 defeat in the shootout against the Chaleur Lightning on Friday night.
Malcolm Dumont and Sam Rocca both scored in overtime for the Lightning while the Rapids were kept scoreless on two tries.
Despite the loss, Jeff Cowan’s squad picks up one more point in the standings for a total of 6pts in 7 games played thus far this season.
The Rapids started the game on a high note, scoring twice while allowing only 3 shots to their opponents against 12. Brayden Watson got the locals on the board at the 5-minute mark of the game after deflecting a pass in front of the net from defenseman Nathan Dubreuil. It was Watson’s 4th tally of the season.
Then at 14:44, Reid Calder sent a perfect pass in front of the net to Carter McIllwraith who scored his second of the season, giving Grand Falls a 2-0 lead after twenty minutes of play.
It was a whole different story for the Rapids in the second period as the Lightning struck with three unanswered goals on 22 shots.
It took only 32 seconds for Emrik Drolet to reduce the margin for the visitors, followed by a goal from Sam Rocca at 1:46. With not yet two minutes played in the middle frame, the game was suddenly tied at 2-2. Chaleur took the lead at 17:06 when Maxime Poirier was able to slide the puck under netminder Noah-Preston Moore.
The Rapids sent only 5 shots on net in the second period.
The Ligthning took a two-goal lead early in the third period on a wrist shot from just inside the blue line from Alex Symes.
The Rapids came back however to tie the score. Jayden Burtt-Munn, with his 3rd of the season, reduced the deficit to one goal at 8:21 following a rebound in front of the Chaleur net.
Oliver Plante made it 4-4 at 15:15, a one-timer as the Rapids were on the power play.
No goals were scored in a fast-paced overtime period. Chaleur was the most opportunistic team in the shootout frame, scoring twice while goaltender Will Morgan made two saves.
Sam Rocca led the way offensively for Chaleur with a 2g 1a performance.
Brayden Watson (1g 1a) and William Patey (2a) both earned two points for Grand Falls.
The Rapids will return to action on Sunday afternoon as they host the West Kent Steamers. Puck drop is a 3pm at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre.
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
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