GRAND FALLS – Despite giving up a two-goal lead late in the third period, the Miramichi Timberwolves skated away with a 5-4 shootout victory Friday night against the Rapids in a thrilling contest played in front of 914 spectators at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre.
Holding a 2-0 advantage before the start of the third period, the Rapids conceded four unanswered goals to the Timberwolves in the first 7:46 minutes of play of the frame.
Jerome Gilbert (2 goals) and Justin David (3 assists) both led the way offensively for Miramichi. They also both scored in the shootout frame.
Jeremy D’Astous and Derek Bird both finished the game with 1g 1a for the Rapids while Jonah Leard collected 2 assists.
It was a great defensive duel for the first forty minutes of play as both goalkeepers made huge saves for their respective teams. Adam Lecours had a shutout in the making, stopping24 shots through two periods of play while Jack Flanagan was instrumental in his team’s comeback in the third period with some key saves of his own.
Miramichi outshot Grand Falls 32 to 31.
The Rapids got on the board at the 13th minute mark of the first period on Derek Bird’s first tally of the season.
Caleb MacDonald brought the score 2-0 at 8:40 of the middle frame, sending a wrist shot past Jack Flanagan. Jeremy D’Astous and Jonah Leard both assisted on the goal.
It was a wild third period where a total of six goals were scored, including the first four by Miramichi before the 8-minute mark of the period.
Jerome Gilbert got things going early for the visitors, scoring at 1:12. Caleb Van de Ven tied the game at 3:37. The Timberwolves took their first lead of the game at 7:11 on Gilbert’s second of the night. Miramichi added a fourth goal only 35 seconds later on a wrist shot from the point by Ryan Hackett following a faceoff win in Rapids’ territory.
The Timberwolves could not however put the Rapids away. Grand Falls came back with two goals with under 5 minutes remaining in regulation time. Raphael Michaud’s shot from the point made it 4-3 at 16:20 while Jeremy D’Astous, with a power play tally, tied the game at 17:32.
No goals were scored in an entertaining 5-minute overtime period.
Raphael Denis was the only Rapid to score in the shootout frame.
Despite the loss, the Rapids earn a point in the standings, tying them with the Fredericton Red Wings for 5th spot in the EastLink North division.
Note that Jack Brown was playing his first game for the Rapids following a trade earlier in the week. Ty Hunter was also in uniform for Grand Falls after spending time on the injured list.
The Rapids will play their next contest on Sunday afternoon as they host the division-leading Edmundston Blizzard. Puck drop is at 3pm at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre.
*3 STARS OF THE GAME:
1- Jerome Gilbert (MIR); 2- Jeremy D’Astous (GFR); 3- Justin David (MIR)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
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1st |
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13:35 |
GFR |
Derek Bird (1) ASST: Will Morrison (4), Matthew Ferdinand (3) |
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2nd |
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8:40 |
GFR |
Caleb MacDonald (6) ASST: Jeremy D’Astous (13), Jonah Leard (6) |
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3rd |
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1:12 |
MIR |
Jerome Gilbert (7) ASST: Justin David (14) |
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3:37 |
MIR |
Caleb Van De Ven (3) ASST: Justin David (15), Thatcher Hughes (3) |
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7:11 |
MIR |
Jerome Gilbert (8) ASST: Justin David (16), Ryley Callan (2) |
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7:46 |
MIR |
Ryan Hackett (1) ASST: Jacob Lafontaine (8) |
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16:20 |
GFR |
Raphael Michaud (2) ASST: Nathan Rhodes (4), Derek Bird (6) |
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17:32 |
GFR |
Jeremy D’Astous (4) ASST: Raphael Denis (6), Jonah Leard (7) (PP) |
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1st OT |
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No Scoring |
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