MIRAMICHI – The Miramichi Timberwolves scored twice in the first period and added two more goals in the third, winning by a score of 4-1 on home ice against the Rapids on Saturday night.
The loss officially eliminates the Rapids from playoff contention as they have only five games remaining on the regular season schedule while being 12 points back of the Fredericton Red Wings who continue to hold on to the fourth spot in the Eastlink North division.
Grand Falls is however 1-point back of the Campbellton Tigers for 5th place in the divisional standings.
It was a tight checking game from start to finish. The first period was dominated by the Timberwolves, especially in puck possession and quality time in the opposing end. The Rapids had only 1 shot in net registered in the first 18 minutes of play before they added 2 more to end the period. Miramichi sent 10 shots on Grand Falls’ netminder Will Hodgson.
The Timberwolves got on the board early in the second period on a 5 on 3-man advantage. Ludovic Dufort sent a one-timer to the back of the net for his 43rd goal of the season.
Then at the mid-way point of the period (10:56), Hugo Audette added to the lead by sending a backhand shot behind Will Hodgson following an initial wrister from the blue line.
But it didn’t take time for the Rapids to respond. Only 37 seconds after the Timberwolves’ second goal, Jonah Leard stole the puck at centre ice and sent a pass to Ethan Johnson who scored on a deflection in front of the net. It was Johnson’s 13th goal of the season.
Shots on goal in the second period were 11 to 8 in favour of the Timberwolves.
Miramichi took a 3-1 lead at 7:55 of the third period on another power play tally, their second of the game. Travis Badcock sent a backhander past Hodgson who had made a couple of great saves prior to the goal.
Justin David added an empty net tally for the Timberwolves at 19:09.
Final shots on goal were 38 to 21 in favour of Miramichi. Jack Flanagan got the win between the pipes.
The Rapids will return to action on Sunday afternoon as they host the West Kent Steamers (3pm) at the E.&P. Sénéchal Centre.
GAME NOTES:
*Ludovic Dufort and Hugo Audette both finished the game with 1g 1a for Miramichi.
*The Timberwolves went 2 for 6 on the power play. The Rapids were scoreless on the PP in 2 tries.
*Game attendance: 825
*Three stars of the game: 1- Justin David (MIR); 2- Travis Badcock (MIR); Ludovic Dufort (MIR)
Patrick Thibault
Scoring
1st
No Scoring
2nd
2:38 MIR Ludovic Dufort (43) ASST: David Doucet (15) (PP)
10:56 MIR Hugo Audette (13) ASST: Ryan Hayes (6), Mitchell Wagner (21)
11:33 GFR Ethan Johnson (13) ASST: Jonah Leard (11), Raphael Denis (18)
3rd
7:55 MIR Travis Badcock (7) ASST: Hugo Audette (43) (PP)
19:09 MIR Justin David (16) ASST: Ludovic Dufort (33) (EN)