GRAND FALLS – The Miramichi Timberwolves took a 2-0 lead in the first period and never looked back, earning a 5-2 victory Sunday afternoon at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre against the Rapids.
Jacob Lafontaine led the way offensively for the Timberwolves with a hat trick while teammate Mitchell Wagner also contributed to the scoring with 1 goal and 3 assists.
Special teams was once again a key factor in this game for Grand Falls who gave up two goals to Miramichi on the power play.
The loss leaves the Rapids with a record of 4 wins, 10 losses and 4 shootout defeats for a total of 12 points. They remain tied for 5th spot in the EastLink North division standings withthe Fredericton Red Wings.
Jacob Lafontaine got the visitors ahead in the opening frame following a scramble in front of the Rapids’ net. Then Drew MacIntyre doubled the lead for Miramichi at the 14-minute mark, scoring his first goal of the season.
The Timberwolves added another goal in the second period as Jacob Lafontaine scored his second of the contest. It was a power play tallythat gave Miramichi a 3-0 lead.
The Rapids had the opportunity afterwards to cut the lead on three consecutive power play opportunities, but it was their opponents who had the best chances to further add to their lead.
Grand Falls finally got on the board at 14:59 of the middle frame on a tip in front of the net from Nathan Rhodes, following a shot from the point by Cole MacWilliam.
The Rapids seemed to gain energy following that first tally and came close a couple times to reducing the margin to a single goal.
Greg Leland’s squad had a good start to the third period, spending some quality time at the opposing end. But the Timberwolves were the most opportunistic team on Sunday afternoon, adding two more goals, including Lafontaine’s 3rd of the game, to take a 5-1 lead.
Derek Bird scored the Rapids second goal late in the third period on a rebound in front of the net. It was a power play goal for Bird.
Shots on goal were 38 to 27 in favour of Miramichi.
Jack Flanagan registered the win between thepipes. Adam Lecours was in goal for Grand Falls.
The Rapids return to action on Wednesday night as they host the Edmundston Blizzard. Puck drop is at 7:15 pm at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre.
*3 STARS OF THE GAME:
1- Jacob Lafontaine (MIR); 2- Mitchell Wagner (MIR); 3- Eliott Robert (MIR)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
|
1st |
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|
|
|
5:55 |
MIR |
Jacob Lafontaine (9) ASST: Mitchell Wagner (4), Justin David (19) (PP) |
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|
14:28 |
MIR |
Drew MacIntyre (1) ASST: Mitchell Wagner (5), Eliott Robert (12) |
|
|
2nd |
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|
|
|
2:00 |
MIR |
Jacob Lafontaine (10) ASST: Mitchell Wagner (6), Eliott Robert (13) (PP) |
|
|
14:59 |
GFR |
Nathan Rhodes (3) ASST: Cole MacWilliam (2) |
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|
3rd |
|
|
|
|
4:09 |
MIR |
Jacob Lafontaine (11) ASST: Jerome Gilbert (16) |
|
|
5:35 |
MIR |
Mitchell Wagner (7) ASST: Caleb Van De Ven (14), Eliott Robert (14) |
|
|
19:53 |
GFR |
Derek Bird (3) ASST: None (PP) |