RAPIDS DROP A 4-3 DECISION TO THE TIGERS

 

GRAND FALLS – Kiefer Lyons’ power play tally, scored with under two minutes remaining in regulation time, gave the visiting Campbellton Tigers a 4-3 victory Friday night over the Rapids.

It was the second goal of the night for Lyons. With the win, the Tigers move 3 points ahead of the Rapids for 5th place in the Eastlink North division standings. It was also the Rapids’ fourth consecutive loss and their 6th on home ice this season.

It was a tight defensive first twenty minutes of play with only one goal being scored. It came early when Kiefer Lyons, positioned to the side of the net, was able to deflect the puck off Adam Lecours’ pads. The Tigers took a 1-0 lead at 1:18 of the opening frame as shots on goal were even, 7-7.

The second period was more open offensively as a total of 30 shots on goal were registered, favoring Campbellton 19 to 11. Both goaltenders stood tall as chances to score came often.

The Tigers took a 2-0 lead at 4:26 on an identical goal as the first one scored in the first period. Jack Dwyer’s shot deflected off Lecours, giving him his first tally of the season.

The Rapids would reply however less than a minute later on a two-on-one break. Nicholas Brennan, who was carryinig the puck, scored on the stick side of Tigers’ netminder Braxton Castagno, cutting the visitors’ lead to one goal.

Then at 13:45, as the Rapids were pressing in the opposing end, Tristan Sanchez sent a screen shot that got through, tying the game at 2-2. It was goal number 5 for Sanchez this season.

The Tigers regained the lead at 7:09 of the third period on a great individual effort by Tyler Pazin who was able to get through the two Rapids’ defensemen before sending a shot in the upper corner of the net.

Grand Falls tied the game once more at 12:04 on Luc Ruff’s first goal of the season. Ruff, who played a great game for the Rapids on Friday night, received a pass from Dominic LeBlanc, sending a shot that beat the Tigers’ goalkeeper.

Then came the winning goal for the Tigers at 18:21, scored with the man advantage. William Schofield and Ryan Hackett assisted on Kiefer Lyons’ second of the night and his 14th goal of the season.

Both teams sent 33 shots on goal in the game.

The Rapids will return to action on Saturday night as they travel to Fredericton to meet the Red Wings for a 7pm start.

GAME NOTES:

*Will Hodgson, acquired by the Rapids this week in exchange for a 5th round draft pick in the 2024 draft, was Lecours’ backup on Friday night. Gio DiMattia was not in uniform, having requested a trade.

*Kiefer Lyons (2g), Tyler Pazin (1g 1a) and Ryan Hackett (2a) all finished the game with 2pts for the Tigers.

Defenseman Luc Ruff led the Rapids in scoring with 1g 1a.

*Only four minor penalties were assessed in the game, all coming in the third period.

Campbellton scored once on the power play while the Rapids did not score on 1 PP opportunity.

*Game attendance: 921

*Three stars of the game: 1- Tyler Pazin (CAM); 2- Luc Ruff (GFR); Braxton Castagno (CAM)

Patrick Thibault

Scoring

1st

1:18 CAM Kiefer Lyons (13) ASST: Tyler Pazin (11), Ryan Hackett (6)

2nd

4:26 CAM Jack Dwyer (1) ASST: Mathis Cyr (2), Alexander MacKenzie-Ede (5)

5:19 GFR Nicholas Brennan (5) ASST: Luc Ruff (1), Will Morrison (6)

13:45 GFR Tristan Sanchez (5) ASST: Tate Brenner (6), Raphael Denis (6)

3rd

7:09 CAM Tyler Pazin (14) ASST: Nick Dyson (13), Jack Brown (4)

12:04 GFR Luc Ruff (1) ASST: Dominic LeBlanc (10), Jeremy Boulanger (19)

18:21 CAM Kiefer Lyons (14) ASST: William Schofield (13), Ryan Hackett (7) (PP)