RAPIDS DEFEAT TIGERS 5-2
GRAND FALLS – On Sunday afternoon in Grand Falls, the GreenFoot Rapids played thus far their best game of the season, playing a full sixty minutes of intense hockey while outskating their opponents and outshooting them 52 to 28. As a result, they came up victorious against the Campbellton Tigers and their ex-coach Greg Leland by a 5-2 score.
The win came at a good time for the Rapids who had to bounce back from a heartbreaking loss last Thursday night in Miramichi. They started out strong by scoring twice in the opening frame, dominating in every facet of the game including shots on goal which were 21 to 6 in their favour.
Brayden Watson opened the scoring, sending a one-timer past Tigers’ goalkeeper Samuel Quimper at 3:04. It was Watson’s 3rd tally of the season. Then at 14:31, Oliver Plante added Grand Falls’ second goal on the power play, receiving a pass from Jayden Burtt-Munn in front of the net. Burtt-Munn also assisted on his team’s first goal.
The Rapids kept the pace in the second period, sending 17 shots on net. They scored at the 18-minute mark of the period to take a 3-0 lead. Brody Pare, with his first of the season, sent a backhander in the back of the net following a rebound.
After Neka Jean scored Campbellton’s first goal at the 5-minute mark of the third period, the Rapids replied by scoring twice. Carter McIllwraith, less than a minute later (at 6:30) scored his first of the campaign on a one-timer. Jonah Leard, after finding a loose puck in the crease, brought the score to 5-1 at 10:56. It was the captain’s 4th goal of the season.
Alexandre Dallaire added the Tigers second goal at 13:24 while his team was playing with the man advantage.
Despite giving up 5 goals, Samuel Quimper was strong between the pipes for the Tigers. Noah-Preston Moore made 26 of 28 saves in net for Grand Falls, earning his second victory of the season.
Jayden Burtt-Munn and Antoine L’Italien both earned two assists while Jonah Leard finished the game with 1g 1a. Carter McIllwraight was named the game’s first star.
The Rapids record now stands at 2 wins, 3 losses and 1 overtime defeat for 5 points.
They will play their next two games on home ice, starting Friday against the Chaleur Lightning before hosting the West Kent Steamers on Sunday afternoon.
Patrick Thibault
|
Scoring
|