MIRAMICHI – The Rapids were able to erase à 4-0 deficit on Sunday afternoon in Miramichi, scoring four unanswered goals but falling short in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Timberwolves.
Grand Falls finishes the weekend with a pickup of 2 points in two games on the road.
When it appeared that the Timberwolves had the victory secured after scoring their fourth consecutive goal in the second period, the Rapids started chipping away. They scored once in the middle frame to close the gap. Then in the third period, the Rapids scored three times including the game-tying goal from Caleb MacDonald, his second of the period, at 15:40.
No goal was scored during the 5-minute overtime period and only one player found the back of the net in the shootout frame, which happened to be Justin David of the Timberwolves.
Miramichi took a 2-0 lead in the opening period. It was Justin David who opened the scoring on a power play at 14:28, followed by Thatcher Hughes’ first tally of the game at 16:30.
The Timberwolves added two more goals in the second period to take a 4-0 lead. Hughes added his second of the contest at 9:12 while Eliott Robert scored with the man advantage at 12:57.
The Rapids scored their first goal of the game at 15:36 of the second period on a rebound in front of the net. Caleb MacDonald was the recipient of the goal as the Rapids trailed 4-1 through two periods of play.
Momentum completely shifted towards the Rapids in the third as they led 14 to 5 in shots on goal. Brayden Campbell scored early in the frame (1:17) on a backhand shot. Ethan Kane scored his first of the season at 12:15 on a shot from the point that found the back of the net. Then with under 5 minutes remaining in regulation time, Caleb MacDonald tied the score on a back hand shot that went by Timberwolves’ netminder Mathis Lafontaine.
The Timberwolves started the overtime period with the man advantage, but were unable to score, sending 7 shots on goalkeeper Loic Nadeau who was once again solid between the pipes for Grand Falls.
The victory puts Miramichi ahead by 13 points on the Rapids for the 4th spot in the Eastlink North standings.
Three players on the Rapids picked up 2 points on Sunday: Caleb MacDonald (2g), Brayden Campbell (1g 1a) and Raphael Denis (2a). Note that Denis has picked up at least 1 point for a 10th consecutive game.
Forward Jérémy D’Astous was not in the lineup on Sunday after leaving the game on Friday night with an apparent injury.
The Rapids will play their next game on Wednesday night as they travel to Campbellton to play the Tigers.
*3 STARS OF THE GAME:
1- Thatcher Hughes (MIR); 2- Justin David (MIR); 3- Caleb MacDonald (GFR)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
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1st |
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14:28 |
MIR |
Justin David (15) ASST: Caleb Van De Ven (21), Mitchell Wagner (9) (PP) |
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16:30 |
MIR |
Thatcher Hughes (5) ASST: None |
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2nd |
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9:12 |
MIR |
Thatcher Hughes (6) ASST: Mitchell Wagner (10) |
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12:57 |
MIR |
Eliott Robert (8) ASST: Justin David (24), Mitchell Wagner (11) (PP) |
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15:36 |
GFR |
Caleb MacDonald (10) ASST: Jonah Leard (20), Raphael Denis (20) |
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3rd |
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1:17 |
GFR |
Brayden Campbell (7) ASST: Patrick Baxter (12) |
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12:15 |
GFR |
Ethan Kane (1) ASST: Raphael Denis (21) |
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15:40 |
GFR |
Caleb MacDonald (11) ASST: Brayden Campbell (9), Will Morrison (12) |
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1st OT |
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No Scoring |
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