SUMMERSIDE (PEI) – Isaac Wilson scored three goals, including the game winner in the third period, as the hometown Summerside Western Capitals defeated the Grand Falls Rapids by a score of 5-3 Saturday night on the island.
Will Irvine and Trentyn Crane completed the scoring for the Western Capitals who dominated the game 49 to 30 in shots on goal.
Dominic LeBlanc led the way offensively for Grand Falls with a pair of goals, his 15th and 16th of the season. Evan Bellamy added the other tally on the power play.
It was the Rapids’ 4th consecutive defeat as their record now falls to 16 wins and 20 losses on the season.
The Rapids managed to play a close game until the 9-minute mark of the third period when Summeside pulled away with their 5th goal of the night to make it a two-goal lead.
Shots were quite even through forty minutes of play (28 to 23 for Summerside), but the Western Capitals dominated puck control in the final frame, sending a total of 21 shots on netminder Charles-Antoine Julien who was making his second start between the pipes for Grand Falls.
Isaac Wilson got things started early for the Western Capitals with his first goal of the night coming at 2:40 of the first period. But the Rapids took advantage of a scramble in front of the net to tie the score at 5:21. Dominic LeBlanc was the recipient of the goal after he took control of a loose puck in front of goatender Brandon Abbott.
Wilson would however give Summerside the lead once more at 14:58, coming from behind the net and sending a screen shot from the faceoff circle that beat Julien up high.
Dominic LeBlanc tied the score once more for the Rapids at 3:34 of the second period, a power play goal with traffic in front of the net.
Summerside regained the lead at 6:09 on a wrister from the slot by defenseman Will Irvine, bringing the score to 3-2.
While with the man advantage, the Rapids tied things up once more after a faceoff win at the other end. Evan Bellamy left his post from the blue line and scored his 5th of the season with only 7 seconds remaining in the period.
Isaac Wilson completed his hat trick at 2:45 of the third period on a tip in from of the net, just as a minor penalty to Grand Falls had expired.
Trentyn Crane then made it 5-3 at 9:14 with a perfect wrist shot from the slot, giving Julien no chance on the play.
It was another costly defeat for the Rapids as the Miramichi Timberwolve picked up two more points in the Eastlink North standings with a 6-2 victory Saturday night against Truro. Their lead is now 10 points over the Rapids for the 4th spot in the division.
Greg Leland’s squad will travel to Campbellton Sunday for a 7:00 pm matchup against the Tigers.
Patrick Thibault
GAME NOTES:
*Three affiliated players were on the lineup for the Rapids on Saturday night, all products of the Fredericton Midget Caps. They were forwards Brody Pare and Luc Ruff as well as defenseman Benjamin Linnansaari.
*Isaac Wilson (3g) and Trentyn Crane (1g 1a) led the way offensively for the Western Capitals.
Dominic LeBlanc (2g), Evan Bellamy (1g 2a) and Yannic Bastaarche (2a) were the leading scorers for the Rapids.
*Grand Falls went 2 for 3 on the power play while Summerside was kept scoreless on 4 PP opportunities.
*Game attendance: 987 spectators
*Three stars of the game: 1- Isaac Wilson (SWC); 2- Brandon Abbott (SWC); 3- Will Proud (SWC)
Scoring
1st
2:40 SWC Isaac Wilson (11) ASST: Connor Keough (15)
5:21 GFR Dominic LeBlanc (15) ASST: Ethan Johnson (7), Evan Bellamy (23)
14:58 SWC Isaac Wilson (12) ASST: Sasha Charbonneau (4), Ed McNeill (46)
2nd
3:34 GFR Dominic LeBlanc (16) ASST: Evan Bellamy (24), Yannic Bastarache (30) (PP)
6:09 SWC William Irvine (7) ASST: JD Shoniker (8), Tate Brenner (4)
19:53 GFR Evan Bellamy (5) ASST: Yannic Bastarache (31), Ben Diamond (22) (PP)
3rd
2:45 SWC Isaac Wilson (13) ASST: Sid McNeill (29), Trentyn Crane (38)
9:14 SWC Trentyn Crane (24) ASST: Will Proud (13)