FREDERICTON – The Rapids dominated their opponents in all facets of the game on Thursday night, earning a 6-1 victory against the Fredericton Red Wings at the Grant-Harvey Centre.
Grand Falls had a 41 to 28 advantage in shots on goal and never trailed in the contest.
Jonah Leard and Derek Bird both scored a pair while Jeremy D’Astous had a 4-point night with 1 goal and 3 assists. Nathan Rhodes completedthe scoring for the Rapids who now lead the Red Wings by 3 points for 5th spot in the EastLink North division standings.
The Rapids struck early in the game when Jonah Leard took control of a rebound in front of the net at 56 seconds of play into the first period.
Fredericton would tie the score at 7:17 on a goal from Matt McRae.
But Grand Falls would reply with two goals before the end of the frame. Nathan Rhodes tallied his 5th of the season at 11:03 on assists from Ty Hunter and Matthew Ferdinand. Then at 18:20, Derek Bird scored his first of the game, a power play tally for Grand Falls who led 3-1 after twenty minutes of play.
Bird added his second of the game and his 6th of the campaign at 6:07 of the second period after he tipped a shot from defenseman Raphael Denis. It was also another power play goal for Bird and the Rapids.
Jonah Leard also added his second goal of the game in the middle frame, a one-timer with only 35 seconds left.
Jeremy D’Astous scored the Rapids’ 6th goal in the third period on a wrister from the slot. It was Grand Falls’ 3rd power play goal of the game on 5 opportunities with the man advantage.
Adam Lecours made a total of 27 saves, earning his 5th victory of the season. Mathieu Mongrain was the Red Wings’ netminder.
The Rapids will return to home ice on Sunday afternoon (3pm) as they host the Pictou County Weeks Crushers at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre.
*3 STARS OF THE GAME:
1- Jeremy D’Astous (GFR); 2- Jonah Leard(GFR); 3- Derek Bird (GFR)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
|
1st |
|
|
|
|
0:56 |
GFR |
Jonah Leard (14) ASST: Will Morrison (10), Jeremy D’Astous (23) |
|
|
7:17 |
FRW |
Matt McRae (10) ASST: Adyson Leaman (5), Sam MacFarlane (5) |
|
|
11:03 |
GFR |
Nathan Rhodes (5) ASST: Ty Hunter (3), Matthew Ferdinand (4) |
|
|
18:20 |
GFR |
Derek Bird (5) ASST: Jeremy D’Astous (24), Jonah Leard (14) (PP) |
|
|
2nd |
|
|
|
|
6:07 |
GFR |
Derek Bird (6) ASST: Raphael Denis (13), Caleb MacDonald (13) (PP) |
|
|
19:25 |
GFR |
Jonah Leard (15) ASST: Caleb MacDonald (14), Jeremy D’Astous (25) |
|
|
3rd |
|
|
|
|
15:05 |
GFR |
Jeremy D’Astous (9) ASST: Raphael Denis (14), Jonah Leard (15) (PP) |
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