CAMPBELLTON – A three-goal outburst in the opening period was enough for the Grand Falls Rapids who went on to a 4-3 victory Sunday afternoon against their division rivals, the Campbellton Tigers.
It was the Rapids’ 12th victory of the season and their 3rd in four games. They now trail the Tigers by only 5 points for the 5th spot in the Eastlink North division standings and with 9 games remaining in their regular season schedule.
Goaltender Adam Lecours made 38 saves to earn his 10th victory of the season.
Four different goal scorers found the back of the net for the Rapids: Nicholas Brennan, Will Morrison, Ty Hunter and Ethan Johnson. Tyler Pazin tallied all three goals for the Tigers.
It was a wide open first period as a total of five goals were scored.
Only 10 seconds were played when the Rapids got on the board following a giveaway by the Tigers’ defense in their own zone. Nicholas Brennan, with his 9th of the season, beat Dekon Randell-Snow with a wrist shot to give the visitors the early lead.
Then at 7:14, defenseman Will Morrison sent a screen shot to the back of the net, doubling the Rapids’ lead. The goal came following a delayed penalty which was to be called against the Tigers.
Campbellton replied with a goal at 11:59 following a deflection in front of the net. Tyler Pazin was credited with the goal, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
The Rapids regained a two-goal cushion on a power play at 15:31 when Will Morrison’s shot from the point was deflected in front by Ty Hunter who registered his 5th goal of the season.
Then with less than 3 minutes remaining in the frame, on a two-on-one break, the Tigers reduced the margin once again on Pazin’s second tally of the contest.
Grand Falls led the period in shots on goal, 16 to 14.
Grand Falls added a fourth goal at 4:43 of the second period on a rush by Ethan Johnson into Tigers’ territory. It was his 11th of the season as his backhand shot beat Randell-Snow on the glove side.
Tyler Pazin completed his hat trick at 9:39 of the period, bringing the score to 4-3.
The Tigers had the advantage in shots on goal in the second period, 16 to 9.
It was a fast-moving third period with few stoppages of play. The Tigers had the opportunity to tie the game on a power play with under 7 minutes remaining in the third period, but the Rapids held their opponents scoreless to grab the victory.
The final tally in shots on goal was 41 to 31 in favour of Campbellton.
The Rapids thus complete their weekend with two victories. They will play their next game on Friday night as they host the Edmundston Blizzard. Puck drop is at 7pm at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre.
GAME NOTES:
*Will Morrison was the most productive player for the Rapids on Sunday, finishing the game with 1g 2a.
Nicholas Brennan and Ty Hunter both ended the contest with 1g 1a while captain Jérémy Boulanger had 2a to his credit.
*The Rapids were 1 for 1 on the power play while Campbellton was scoreless in 4 PP opportunities.
*Game attendance: 541
*Three stars of the game: 1- Tyler Pazin (CAM); 2- Nicholas Brennan (GFR); 3- William Schofield (CAM)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
1st
0:10 GFR Nicholas Brennan (9) ASST: Ty Hunter (12), Jeremy Boulanger (28)
7:14 GFR Will Morrison (1) ASST: Nicholas Brennan (12), Jeremy Boulanger (29)
11:59 CAM Tyler Pazin (24) ASST: William Schofield (30)
15:31 GFR Ty Hunter (5) ASST: Will Morrison (13) (PP)
17:27 CAM Tyler Pazin (25) ASST: William Schofield (31)
2nd
4:43 GFR Ethan Johnson (11) ASST: Will Morrison (14), Jonah Leard (8)
9:39 CAM Tyler Pazin (26) ASST: Finn Morris (4), Alex Crane (17)
3rd
No Scoring