RAPIDS DROP A 4-2 DECISION TO YARMOUTH
GRAND FALLS – Reilly Mayne scored twice, his 11th and 12th goals of the season, as the Yarmouth Mariners defeated the Grand Falls Rapids by a score of 4-2 Friday night at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre.
The Mariners held a 2-0 lead in the opening period, scoring two goals in a span of only 23 seconds.
The Rapids were able to cut the lead to 2-1 in the second period on Dominic Leblanc’s shorthanded tally, but Yarmouth added two more goals in the following forty minutes of play to earn the victory.
For Grand Falls, it was a 7th loss this season in 11 games, but it was also a costly defeat as Nick Tremere’s squad now falls to 6th spot in the Eastlink North division, 1 point behind the Miramichi Timberwolves who gained 1-point on Friday night following an overtime loss.
After having problems getting any offence going in the opening frame, the Rapids showed more energy, speed and better puck movement in the second and third period. Yarmouth was however the most opportunistic team in this contest.
The Mariners dominated puck possession in the opening period and got the upper hand over their opponents in scoring opportunities.
The visitors also applied great pressure on the puck carrier, leaving the Rapids with very little chance to maneuver freely and pick up speed coming out of their own zone.
The Mariners took the lead at 8:27 on a power play goal. After a faceoff win in Grand Falls’ territory, Reilly Mayne took a quick shot that surprised goaltender Gio DiMattia. It was Mayne’s 11th tally of the season. Only 23 seconds later, Yarmouth doubled its lead when Nolan MacDonald came quickly off the wing, sending a shot from a tight angle that found the top corner of the net.
The Rapids demonstrated more speed in the second period and spent more time in the opposing end. However, they got into penalty trouble as they were shorthanded for a total of 8 minutes. It was with a man short that Grand Falls scored its first goal at the 3-minute mark.
After taking control of a loose puck near his own blue line, Dominic Leblanc outskated his defender and went in alone on netminder AJ DiChiara, scoring with a quick shot on the stick side. For Leblanc, it was an 8th goal this season.
Yarmouth regained a two-goal cushion at 11:31 when Mitchell Wagner was left alone in front of DiMattia, scoring on a backhand shot to bring the score to 3-1.
Shots on goal were even in the second period, 8-8.
Once again, the Rapids spent some quality moments into Yarmouth territory in the third period, but at the same time avoiding the penalty box. Grand Falls dominated the frame in shots on goal, 11 to 7.
The Mariners were able to shut the door however, even killing a couple of minor penalties along the way.
Reilly Mayne scored his second goal of the game and his 12th of the season at 14:47 after taking advantage of a turnover at the Rapids’ blue line. That made it 4-1 at that point in favour of the visitors.
Coming back from an injury, Alexis Cournoyer played a great game for Grand Falls and he was rewarded for his efforts by scoring a spectacular goal, his first in a Rapids’ uniform with less than two minutes remaining in regulation time. Even though it was too little too late for the Rapids, that goal can serve as a great confidence builder for Cournoyer in his first game back to the lineup.
The final tally in shots on goal was 27 to 26 for Grand Falls.
The Rapids will complete their four-game homestand by playing the Miramichi Timberwolves on Sunday afternoon. Puck drop is at 3pm at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre.
Patrick Thibault
GAME NOTES:
*The Rapids’ power play, ranked last in their division, went 0 for 4 on Friday night. They defended well however with a man short, giving up only 1 goal to Yarmouth on 6 PP opportunities.
*Reilly Mayne (2g) was the only player on both sides to pick up 2 points in this game.
*Still missing from the lineup for the Rapids due to injuries were forwards Evan Jackson, Tommy Bouchard and Kyle Foreman.
*Three stars of the game: 1- Reilly Mayne (YAR); 2- Logan Danis (YAR); 3- Dominic Leblanc (GFR)
*Game attendance: 536 spectators
Scoring
| 1st | |||
| 8:27 | YAR | Reilly Mayne (11) ASST: Kurtis Lang (8) (PP) | |
| 8:50 | YAR | Nolan MacDonald (1) ASST: Jonathan Park (2) | |
| 2nd | |||
| 3:21 | GFR | Dominic Leblanc (8) ASST: None (SH) | |
| 11:31 | YAR | Mitchell Wagner (2) ASST: Ben Roode (7), Alfred Rotiroti (5) | |
| 3rd | |||
| 14:47 | YAR | Reilly Mayne (12) ASST: Sam Gillis (14) | |
| 18:50 | GFR | Alexis Cournoyer (1) ASST: Drew Johnston (1), Spencer Desveaux (1) |