YARMOUTH – Nathan Carter’s goal scored in the shootout frame gave the Yarmouth Mariners a 4-3 victory Saturday night on home ice against the Grand Falls Rapids.
Carter was the only player to score in the shootout session, beating Grand Falls’ netminder Gio DiMattia on the stick side.
It gave the Mariners their 5th win of the season while the Rapids did pick up a point in the standings, their 5th of the campaign in 6 games.
The Rapids led 2-0 early in the second period before the Mariners stormed back with three unanswered goals to take a 3-2 lead in the third. Defenseman Raphael Denis tied the score for Grand Falls at the mid-way point of the 3rd period. No goals were scored in overtime.
It was DiMattia’s best outing of the season thus far, blocking 26 shots, including 3 in extra time. His key saves kept the Rapids in front until the Mariners got on the board with two quick goals in the second period to tie the score.
Nicholas Brennan got the Rapids on the board at 3:17 of the opening frame. His first shot was initially blocked, but he didn’t miss the opportunity to score on the following shot. It was Brennan’s second tally of the season.
Grand Falls held a 2-0 lead at 1:54 of the second period after Jeremy Boulanger was able to slide the puck under Yarmouth goalkeeper Ben Williams. For Boulanger, it was his 4th goal of the season.
The Mariners came back however with two goals in a span of only 1:31. Will Chisholm (12:23 on the power play) and Keefe Marshall (13:54) made it 2-2 through forty minutes of play.
The Mariners got their first lead of the game at 4:45 of the third period on a two-on-one break. Nathan Carter scored to make it 3-2.
Then at 9:51, Jonah Leard’s cross-ice pass to Raphael Denis tied the game at 3-3. It was Denis’ first goal as a Rapid, which came on a quick one-timer from the faceoff circle.
Both teams shot once on the opposing net in the overtime session.
Ben Williams stopped all three Rapids’ players in the shootout while Gio DiMattia surrendered only one goal on three shots.
The Rapids return to action on Sunday afternoon as they travel to Berwick (Nova Scotia) for a 3pm start against the Valley Wildcats.
GAME NOTES:
*Will Chisholm was the only Mariners’ player to pick up two points in the game with 1g and 1a.
Raphael Denis (1g 1a) and Dominic LeBlanc (2a) both had a 2-point night for the Rapids.
*The Rapids went 0 for 3 on the power play while Yarmouth scored once in 4 tries.
*Game attendance: 1253
*Three stars of the game: 1- Nathan Carter (YAR); 2- Will Chisholm (YAR); 3- Jeremy Boulanger (GFR)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
1st
3:17 GFR Nicholas Brennan (2) ASST: Dominic LeBlanc (4), Raphael Denis (2)
2nd
1:54 GFR Jeremy Boulanger (4) ASST: Ethan Johnson (6), Dominic LeBlanc (5)
12:23 YAR Will Chisholm (5) ASST: Tyler Lee (3), Kyle McGuire (5) (PP)
13:54 YAR Keefe Marshall (1) ASST: None
3rd
4:45 YAR Nathan Carter (4) ASST: Will Chisholm (4), Jefferson Coffin (1)
9:51 GFR Raphael Denis (1) ASST: Jonah Leard (1)
1st OT
No Scoring