RAPIDS DEFEAT TIGERS 5-0
CAMPBELLTON – Goaltender Adam Lecours made a total of 35 saves, earning his second shutout of the season, as the Grand Falls Rapids earned a 5-0 shutout victory over the Campbellton Tigers on Friday night. An estimated 830 spectators were assembled at the Memorial Civic Centre for the contest, including many Rapids fans who made the trip for the occasion.
Five different players found the back of the net for Grand Falls who pick up win no.17 on the season, keeping them 1 point behind the Chaleur Lightning for first place in the Eastlink North division standings. Both teams will face off on Saturday night (7pm) at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre.
The Rapids gained momentum early and never gave it up, dominating their opponents in many facets of the game.
They took a 1-0 lead at 8:22 of the opening period on a two-on-one break, courtesy of Declan Kennedy who took his own rebound in front of the Tigers’ net, scoring his 4th goal of the season.
The visitors added two more goals in the second period to take a 3-0 lead. Nathan Plamondon-Michaud scored his 18th of the campaign at 12:22 on a shot from the face-off circle that beat Campbellton netminder Niko Boudreau on the stick side. The goal was scored with the man advantage, ending an 0 for 8 power play drought for the Rapids.
Then at 17:59, Reid Calder took control of a loose puck following a scramble in front of the Tigers’ crease, giving Grand Falls a three-goal advantage through forty minutes of play.
The Rapids scored another power play goal at 2:08 of the third period when Coen Miller sent a one-timer to the back of the net. It was Miller’s 18th tally of the season.
Loic Francoeur would add the fifth goal at 16:48, his 14th of the season.
The Rapids sent a total of 38 shots on net compared to 35 for the Tigers who announced a coaching change on Friday.
Note that it was the first win for Grand Falls this season against the Tigers after dropping the first three games on the schedule, including two in extra time.
The Rapids will play their last game before the holiday break on Saturday night, as mentioned previously, against the Chaleur Lightning on home ice with first place at stake.
EXTRA NOTES …
*Loic Francoeur, Reid Calder and Nathan Plamondon-Michaud all finished the game with identical records of 1g and 1a. Jonah Leard also picked up 2 points with 2 assists.
*For Adam Lecours, it was victory no.13 on the season.
*Three stars of the game: 1- Adam Lecours (GFR); 2- Nathan Plamondon-Michaud (GFR); 3- Loic Francoeur (GFR)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
| 1st | |||
| 8:22 | GFR | Declan Kennedy (4) ASST: None | |
| 2nd | |||
| 12:22 | GFR | Nathan Plamondon-Michaud (18) ASST: Loic Francoeur (24), Anton Topilnyckyj (10) (PP) | |
| 17:59 | GFR | Reid Calder (6) ASST: Jonah Leard (27), Loic Gallant (9) | |
| 3rd | |||
| 2:04 | GFR | Coen Miller (18) ASST: Jonah Leard (28), Reid Calder (8) (PP) | |
| 16:48 | GFR | Loic Francoeur (14) ASST: Nathan Plamondon-Michaud (17) |