GRAND FALLS – The Rapids earned a third victory in their last four games on the schedule, defeating the Fredericton Red Wings by a score of 3-1 Friday night in Grand Falls.
Adam Lecours stopped 38 of the 39 shots he faced between the pipes, picking up his 10thwin of the season.
It was also a second consecutive victory for the Rapids who now total 32 points on the season with 7 more games remaining to their regular season schedule.
Lecours kept his team in the lead in the final twenty minutes of play as Fredericton gained momentum at times, controlling the pace of play and getting some good scoring opportunities.
The Rapids went ahead at 2:21 of the opening period on a faceoff win in Red Wings’ territory. After winning the draw, Derek Bird fed a passto Nicholas Brennan who sent a quick wrister past Fredericton goalkeeper Mathieu Mongrain.It was Brennan’s 11th tally of the season.
Then at 9:31, Nathan Plamondon-Michaud scored on a two-on-one break, sending a wrist shot to the top corner of the net.
No goals were scored in the second period as Grand Falls led 15 to 12 in shots.
The Red Wings came out strong in the third period and were able to cut the lead to a single goal at the 4-minute mark while playing with the man advantage. Sam MacFarlane’s shot from the blue line was tipped in front by Tyson Snow to make it 2-1.
However, Jonah Leard scored in an empty net with only 1 second remaining, giving the Rapids the victory. It was also Leard’s 24th goal of the campaign.
Fredericton led the game 39 to 32 in shots on goal.
Derek Bird was the only player on both sides to finish the contest with more than 2 points to his record, picking up 2 assists.
The Rapids will play their next game on Sunday afternoon (3pm) in Edmundston against the league leading Blizzard. Then Grand Falls will host the Campbellton Tigers on Monday afternoon at 3pm on Family Day.
3 STARS OF THE GAME:
1- Adam Lecours (GFR); 2- Nathan Plamondon-Michaud (GFR); 3- Tyson Snow(FRW)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
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1st |
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2:21 |
GFR |
Nicholas Brennan (11) ASST: Derek Bird (9) |
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9:31 |
GFR |
Nathan Plamondon-Michaud (14) ASST: Médéric Allard (9) |
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2nd |
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No Scoring |
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3rd |
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|
|
4:56 |
FRW |
Tyson Snow (9) ASST: Jake Tracey (15), Sam MacFarlane (10) (PP) |
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|
19:59 |
GFR |
Jonah Leard (24) ASST: Derek Bird (10) (EN) |
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