RAPIDS DEFEAT LIGHTNING IN OVERTIME
BATHURST – Jonah Leard scored the game winning goal in overtime on Friday night, giving the Grand Falls GreenFoot Rapids a 5-4 victory on the road against the Chaleur Lightning.
It was the Rapids first win this season in three games facing Chaleur.
Leard’s winning tally was the result of a Lightning defender losing control of the puck in front of his own net at 3:23 of the overtime frame. The Rapids’ captain wasted no time in sending a quick shot to the back of the net, giving Grand Falls its 7th victory of the season and the 5th on the road.
The Rapids, who gave up two power play goals to their opponents, were the better team however when playing at equal strength, despite being outshot 45 to 33 in the contest.
A strong third period by the Rapids, who led 14 to 9 in shots while staying out of the penalty box, was key in coming back to tie the game at the 13-minute mark of the third period. Kaden Bell, with his first MHL goal, tied the game following another giveaway by the Lightning in their own territory.
Both teams got on the scoreboard in the opening period. Jayden Burtt-Munn, with his 5th of the campaign, gave Grand Falls the lead on a tip in front of the net. Maxime Poirier, with a shot from the face off dot, tied the game for Chaleur with the man advantage.
Alex Symes gave the Lightning a 2-1 lead early in the middle frame before Carter McIllwraight tied the score for the Rapids on a two-on-one break.
Carter Bromley added Chaleur’s third goal at 6:14 before Antoine L’Italien, with his 10th of the season, tied the game once more at 8:38 on a one-timer.
A power play goal gave Chaleur the lead right back at 15:19, courtesy of Emrik Drolet. The Ligntning went ahead 4-3 after two periods of play.
The Rapids played a great third period, resulting in the tying goal from Kaden Bell that sent the game into overtime.
Jayden Burtt-Munn finished the game with 1g 1a for Grand Falls, earning him second star honors. Emrik Drolet (1g 2a-first star) led the way offensively for Chaleur.
Noah-Preston Moore picked up win number 5 between the pipes, making 41 saves.
The Rapids now total 17 points in the Eastlink North division standings.
They will take the rest of the weekend off before clashing once again with the Lightning next Friday (November 13th) in Bathurst. Their next home game is scheduled for Sunday November 15th against the Edmundston Blizzard.
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
| 1st | |||
| 4:50 | GFR | Jayden Burtt-Munn (5) ASST: Xavier Normand (4), Brody Pare (7) | |
| 8:57 | CHA | Maxime Poirier (6) ASST: Emrik Drolet (11), Thomas Cote (7) (PP) | |
| 2nd | |||
| 1:12 | CHA | Alex Symes (5) ASST: None | |
| 2:47 | GFR | Carter McIllwraith (5) ASST: Patrick Baxter (6), Declan Kennedy (6) | |
| 6:14 | CHA | Carter Bromley (8) ASST: Emrik Drolet (12), Isaak Berube (4) | |
| 8:38 | GFR | Antoine L’Italien (10) ASST: Vincent Desmarais (6), Louis-Carl Tremblay (7) | |
| 15:19 | CHA | Emrik Drolet (5) ASST: Thomas Cote (8), Zach Brousseau (5) (PP) | |
| 3rd | |||
| 13:30 | GFR | Kaden Bell (1) ASST: Jayden Burtt-Munn (8) | |
| 1st OT | |||
| 3:23 | GFR | Jonah Leard (13) ASST: None |