EDMUNDSTON – The Rapids were 1:04 seconds away on Friday night from pulling a huge upset against the best team in the MHL. However, the Edmundston Blizzard were able to tie the game and score the game winning goal on a power play in overtime for a 4-3 victory.
It was a remarkable performance from goaltender Loic Nadeau who made a total of 47 saves as the Blizzard dominated in shots on goal, 51 to 10. Nadeau was especially efficient in the third period when he faced a total of 26 shots, keeping his team in the lead until the final minute of play of regulation time.
Despite being heavily outshot in the contest, the Rapids accomplished something that hasn’t occurred too often this season: they were opportunistic, scoring three power play goals and jumping ahead by two goals on two occasions. But they also came back to their old habits of having problems closing out games... this time, they got into penalty trouble and couldn’t hang on for those precious two points in the standings.
It was a valiant effort, nonetheless, hoping that it can serve well for the next three games before the holiday break.
Jérémy D’Astous, who had to leave the game late in the middle frame due to an injury, got the Rapids on the board in the opening period. He scored his first goal of the night at 9:54 and his second at 19:08, both on the power play and both on screen shots. It was goals no. 10 and 11 for D’Astous this season.
The Rapids held a 2-0 lead after twenty minutes of play despite being outshot 13 to 4in the period.
The Blizzard reduced the margin early in the second period on a goal from Émile Fournier, his first of the night, on a perfect pass in front of the net.
The Rapids would regain their two-goal cushion on another power play marker at 6:09, this time by Jonah Leard who tallied his 18th goal of the season on a shot from the faceoff circle.
Then at 12:42, Nathan Plamondon scored for Edmundston to bring the score 3-2.
The Rapids did everything they could to hang on in the third period, blocking shots while obtaining great goaltending from Loic Nadeau.
Emile Fournier tied the game at 18:56 on a tip to the side of the net.
Then with only 1 second remaining in regulation, the Rapids were penalized, giving the Blizzard a 4 on 3 power play to start the overtime frame. Alexis Jacques ended the drama at 1:02 on a one-timer, giving Edmundston its 24th victory of the season.
Emile Fournier (EDM) and Jeremy D’Astous (GFR) both finished the game with records of 2g 1a.
Note that Frederic Cousineau was the netminder for Edmundston.
Grand Falls went 3 for 5 on the power play while the Blizzard scored once on 4 occasions with the man advantage.
The Rapids will play their next game on the road on Sunday afternoon (2pm) as they clash with the Miramichi Timberwolves.
*3 STARS OF THE GAME:
1- Alexis Jacques (EDM); 2- Émile Fournier (EDM); 3- Loic Nadeau (GFR)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
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1st |
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9:54 |
GFR |
Jérémy D’Astous (10) ASST: Raphael Denis (19), Jonah Leard (19) (PP) |
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19:08 |
GFR |
Jérémy D’Astous (11) ASST: Cole MacWilliam (4) (PP) |
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2nd |
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1:25 |
EDM |
Émile Fournier (19) ASST: Justin Hebert (15), Philippe Collette (29) |
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6:09 |
GFR |
Jonah Leard (18) ASST: Caleb MacDonald (15), Jérémy D’Astous (32) (PP) |
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12:42 |
EDM |
Nathan Plamondon-Michaud (12) ASST: Carl-Anthony Massé (26) |
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3rd |
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18:56 |
EDM |
Émile Fournier (20) ASST: Philippe Collette (30), Alexis Jacques (21) |
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1st OT |
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1:02 |
EDM |
Alexis Jacques (6) ASST: Philippe Collette (31), Émile Fournier (9) (PP) |